The Tokyo Marathon has announced its elite men’s and women’s fields for the 2026 race, assembling a lineup that may be one of the best in the race’s history.
Set for March 1, 2026, the race will feature reigning Tokyo champions, Olympic medalists, former world record holders, and national record breakers from around the globe.
Organizers have made no secret of their ambition, targeting aggressive pacing for both races and openly discussing the possibility of record-breaking performances on Tokyo’s flat, speed-friendly course.
Men’s Race: Champions, Record Chasers, and Japanese History at Stake
The men’s field is led by a quartet of sub-2:04 performers with proven championship credentials. Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, winner of the 2024 London Marathon, makes his long-anticipated Tokyo debut with a personal best of 2:03:11. He will face stiff competition from Timothy Kiplagat, the 2024 Tokyo runner-up who clocked 2:02:55 on this course and is targeting the event record of 2:02:16.
Defending champion Tadese Takele of Ethiopia returns after winning Tokyo last year in 2:03:23 at just 23 years old, while fellow Ethiopian Milkesa Mengesha, winner of the 2024 Berlin Marathon and the 2025 Shanghai Marathon, arrives in strong form.
The race also serves as a key proving ground for several track stars transitioning to the marathon. Olympic 10,000-meter champion Selemon Barega continues his move up in distance after a 2:05:15 debut, while former world 5,000-meter champion Muktar Edris brings championship speed to the roads.
For Japanese fans, the spotlight will be especially bright. Suguru Osako, who set a Japanese record of 2:04:55 in Valencia in December, headlines a deep domestic contingent that also includes former national record holder Kengo Suzuki and Paris Olympian Naoki Koyama.
With Tokyo serving as a potential gateway to Olympic qualification standards for Los Angeles 2028, the stakes extend well beyond the podium.
Women’s Race: Champions Return as Depth Rivals the World’s Best
The women’s field is equally formidable, led by Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia, who won the 2025 Chicago Marathon in 2:14:57, one of the fastest times in history. She will be challenged by Sutume Asefa Kebede, the two-time defending Tokyo champion and course record holder at 2:15:55, who is seeking a rare three-peat on the streets of the Japanese capital.
Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei adds another layer of intrigue after returning to top form with a Shanghai Marathon victory, while Rosemary Wanjiru, the 2023 Tokyo champion and 2025 Berlin winner, brings proven championship experience on this course.
The women’s field also reflects the marathon’s increasing generational depth. Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde and Mekides Shimeles, both under 22 years old, join a wave of emerging contenders capable of threatening podium positions. Veteran American Sara Hall, a former U.S. record holder, provides experience and tactical savvy in a field designed for fast, uninterrupted racing.
Japanese athletes will again play a central role. Ai Hosoda, who has announced plans to retire, has made clear she is targeting a final career best rather than a ceremonial farewell, while Yumi Yoshikawa leads a strong domestic group aiming to run with the lead packs as long as possible.
Race organizers have indicated pacing plans that could put both races on record-breaking trajectories, weather permitting, reinforcing Tokyo’s status as a marquee stage for global marathon performance.
Tokyo Marathon 2026 – Elite Men’s Field
- Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) – 2:02:55
- Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) – 2:03:11
- Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) – 2:03:13
- Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) – 2:03:17
- Tadese Takele (ETH) – 2:03:23
- Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) – 2:03:30
- Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:03:48
- Daniel Mateiko (KEN) – 2:04:24
- Seifu Tura (ETH) – 2:04:29
- Chalu Deso (ETH) – 2:04:53
- Selemon Barega (ETH) – 2:05:15
- Shifera Tamru (ETH) – 2:05:18
- Cameron Levins (CAN) – 2:05:36
- Suldan Hassan (SWE) – 2:05:57
- Muktar Edris (ETH) – 2:05:59
- Iliass Aouani (ITA) – 2:06:06
- Suguru Osako (JPN) – 2:04:55
- Kengo Suzuki (JPN) – 2:04:56
- Ryota Kondo (JPN) – 2:05:39
- Tsubasa Ichiyama (JPN) – 2:06:00
- Simon Kariuki (KEN) – 2:06:29
- Naoki Koyama (JPN) – 2:06:33
- Kazuya Nishiyama (JPN) – 2:06:45
- Derese Workneh (ETH) – 2:06:58
Tokyo Marathon 2026 – Elite Women’s Field
- Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 2:14:57
- Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) – 2:15:55
- Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:14:04
- Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) – 2:16:14
- Megertu Alemu (ETH) – 2:16:34
- Bertukan Welde (ETH) – 2:17:56
- Mestawut Fikir (ETH) – 2:18:48
- Mekides Shimeles (ETH) – 2:19:56
- Aberu Ayana (ETH) – 2:20:20
- Waganesh Mekasha (ETH) – 2:20:26
- Azmera Gebru (ETH) – 2:20:48
- Viola Cheptoo (KEN) – 2:21:40
- Pascalia Jepkogei (KEN) – 2:22:47
- Sara Hall (USA) – 2:20:32
- Ai Hosoda (JPN) – 2:20:31
- Yumi Yoshikawa (JPN) – 2:25:20
