Ethiopia Dominates the 2025 Tokyo Marathon as Tadese Takele and Sutume Kebede Take the Crown

WATCH: The 2025 Tokyo Marathon: Instant Reactions From a Wild Race

The streets of Tokyo were buzzing with energy as thousands of runners lined up for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, one of the biggest races of the year. With near-perfect conditions, the stage was set for some seriously fast times—and the elites didn’t disappoint. Ethiopia took both the men’s and women’s titles in style, with Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede putting on dominant performances.

Tadese Takele Runs a Career-Best to Win the Men’s Race

The men’s race was all about Tadese Takele. The Ethiopian star came into Tokyo with momentum, and he delivered a statement performance, clocking 2:03:23—a personal best and the fastest time ever recorded at this race.

Takele, who had previously finished third at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, showed he’s ready to be a major player in the marathon world. He ran smart, stayed patient, and then made a decisive move in the final kilometers to drop the field.

His biggest challenger? Deresa Geleta, another Ethiopian, who finished second in 2:03:51. Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich rounded out the podium in 2:04:00, proving that East Africa’s dominance in marathoning is as strong as ever.

Defending champion Benson Kipruto couldn’t quite keep up this year and had to settle for sixth place (2:05:46).

Sutume Asefa Kebede Goes Back-to-Back in Tokyo

In the women’s race, Sutume Asefa Kebede did exactly what she came to do: defend her Tokyo Marathon title. The Ethiopian powerhouse crossed the line in 2:16:31, holding off a late charge from Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti, who finished in 2:16:56.

Kebede’s win is even more impressive considering she’s been on fire lately—last year, she set a personal best of 2:15:55 at this same race. With this victory, she’s proving she’s one of the most consistent marathoners in the world right now.

Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa grabbed third in 2:17:00, making it an Ethiopia-Kenya battle all the way to the finish.

Big Moments and Standout Performances

Beyond the winners, there were plenty of other big storylines:

• Paula Radcliffe’s Surprise Comeback: The 51-year-old British legend shocked everyone by running her first marathon in over a decade, finishing in 2:57:26. Not bad for someone whose marathon world record (2:15:25) stood for 16 years.
• Japan’s Top Finisher: Local runner Tsubasa Ichiyama had a strong race, finishing 10th in 2:06:00 and giving the home crowd something to cheer for.
• World Marathon Majors Just Got More Interesting: Tokyo kicked off the series in a big way, and with Sydney recently added as the seventh Major, this year’s championship battle is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years.

WATCH: 2025 Tokyo Marathon Watch-Along Live Show

Top 10 Results – 2025 Tokyo Marathon

Men’s Results:

1. Tadese Takele (ETH) – 2:03:23
2. Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:03:51
3. Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) – 2:04:00
4. Titus Kipruto (KEN) – 2:05:34
5. Mulugeta Uma (ETH) – 2:05:46
6. Benson Kipruto (KEN) – 2:05:46
7. Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) – 2:05:46
8. Suldan Hassan (SWE) – 2:05:57
9. Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) – 2:05:59
10. Tsubasa Ichiyama (JPN) – 2:06:00

Women’s Results:

1. Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) – 2:16:31
2. Winfridah Moraa Moseti (KEN) – 2:16:56
3. Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 2:17:00
4. Magdalyne Masai (KEN) – 2:19:28
5. Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) – 2:19:57
6. Desi Mokonin (BRN) – 2:20:07
7. Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) – 2:20:25
8. Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) – 2:20:26
9. Zhang Deshun (CHN) – 2:20:53
10. Jessica Stenson (AUS) – 2:22:56