On Sunday, one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the prestigious 2023 Tokyo Marathon was held with 38,000 runners taking to the streets in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to participate. This year’s race was the first time in four years that the event ran at its full capacity.
The remarkable achievement of the Ethiopian runners sweeping the podium in the Tokyo Marathon showcased the exceptional strength and depth of African distance running.
The men’s race at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon was dominated by Ethiopian runners, who claimed all three podium spots.
Deso Gelmisa made an impressive debut in the Tokyo Marathon and clinched the first position with a remarkable time of 2:05:22. He narrowly edged out his fellow Ethiopian Esa Mohamed, who also finished with a time of 2:05:22. Another Ethiopian long-distance runner Tsegaye Kebede secured the third position with a time of 2:05:25.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya won her first significant triumph in only her second career marathon, crossing the finish line with a personal best time of 2:16:28. Tsehay Gemechu from Ethiopia, who resides in Japan, secured second place, clocking 2:16:56. Ethiopia’s Ashete Bekere, the 2019 Berlin Marathon champion, claimed the bronze medal with a time of 2:19:11.
The 2023 Tokyo Marathon has been included in the Platinum series of the 2023 World Athletics Label Road Races, which is a highly sought-after event that attracts elite runners from various parts of the world. It is considered as one of the most prestigious marathons globally, making it a significant event in the athletics calendar.
