Eliud Kipchoge makes a comeback to Japan, the nation where he clinched his second Olympic gold, to participate in the 2024 Tokyo Marathon.

The prospect of securing a fifth Olympic medal and aiming for a fifth consecutive victory continues to fuel his motivation.

The Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 3, with the unwavering dedication and hunger that have characterized his remarkable marathon career, establishing him as the favorite.

The 39-year-old is on the verge of securing his spot in the formidable Kenyan team for the Paris 2024 Olympics, holding the titles of defending champion and the second-fastest man in history.

In preparation for his quest for a third consecutive marathon gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Eliud Kipchoge is meticulously planning and has chosen an unusually early spring marathon.

Leading the pack are the 2023 champions, Rosemary Wanjiru and Chalu Deso Gelmisa, alongside world titleholders Amane Beriso Shankule and Victor Kiplangat. The elite field also features top-ranked athletes Sifan Hassan and Eliud Kipchoge.

Despite ranking among the top five women, Hassan is making her inaugural appearance in Tokyo; nevertheless, her lack of experience is expected to have minimal impact. Amane, the Budapest gold medalist, presents a formidable challenge on paper, but the prospect of a thrilling late-race clash involving Hassan, Amane, and Wanjiru, particularly given Wanjiru's notable sixth-place finish in Budapest, adds an extra layer of excitement.

In the men's division, Kipchoge, the reigning 2022 Tokyo Marathon champion boasting a course record of 2:02:40, is set to make a return to the event, marking his first marathon since surrendering the world record. Tokyo serves as a stable ground for him to regather momentum and pursue another triumph in the World Abbott Marathon Majors. Despite losing his record, his stellar 2:02:42 victory in Berlin still outshines the achievements of others in the field.

A rematch with Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, who trailed him by 31 seconds in Berlin, introduces an intriguing dynamic to the race. Furthermore, Timothy Kiplagat, the Rotterdam runner-up with a sub-2:04 time, and Benson Kipruto, securing second place in Chicago with a time of 2:04:02, contribute to the overall competitiveness of the field.

The depth of talent at the forefront is underscored by the defending champion, Chalu, currently holding the position of the ninth-fastest participant in the race. The upcoming 2024 Tokyo Marathon guarantees an exciting showcase of athleticism and intense competition.

MEN ELITE

1. KIPCHOGE, Eliud - KEN  - 2:01:09

2. NGETICH, Vincent Kipkemoi - KEN - 2:03:13

3. KIPLAGAT, Timothy - KEN - 2:03:50

4. KIPRUTO, Benson - KEN - 2 2023

5. KIROS, Hailemaryam - ETH - 2:04:41

6. BELAY, Andualem - ETH - 2:04:44

7. GETACHEW, Tsegaye - ETH - 2:04:49

8. DESO, Chalu - ETH - 2:04:53

9. KIPLANGAT, Victor - UGA - 2:05:09

10. SUZUKI, Kengo - 2:04:56

11. YAMASHITA, Ichitaka - 2:05:51

12. SONOTA, Kenya - 2:05:59

13. HOSOYA, Kyohei - 2:06:35

14. NISHIYAMA, Kazuya - 2:06:45

15. IKEDA, Yohei - 2:06:53

16. KIBET, Bethwel - KEN  - 2:04:37

17. ASMARE, Bazezew - ETH - 2:04:57

18. ALAME, Haimro - ISR - 2:06:04

19. KAROKI, Bedan - 2:06:15

20. OGURA, Yusuke - 2:06:51

21. SADAKATA, Toshiki - 2:07:05

22. MICHAEL, Githae - 2:07:08

23. DAIROKUNO, Shuho - 2:07:12

24. KARIUKI, Simon - 2:07:18

25. KIKUCHI, Masato - 2:07:20

WOMEN ELITE

1. HASSAN, Sifan - NED - 2:13:44

2. SHANKULE, Amane Beriso - ETH - 2:14:58

3. WANJIRU, Rosemary - KEN - 2:16:28

4. SALPETER, Lonah Chemtai - ISR - 2:17:45

5. ABAYECHEW, Tigist - ETH - 2:18:03

6. KEBEDE, Sutume Asefa - ETH - 2:18:12

7. SHAURI, Magdalena - TZA - 2:18:41

8. GETACHEW, Buzunesh - ETH - 2:19:27

9. ABEBAYAHAU, Meseret - ETH - 2:19:50

10. NIIYA, Hitomi - 2:19:24

11. YOSHIKAWA, Yumi - 2:25:20

12. GALBADRAKH, Khishigsaikhan - MNG - 2:28:33

13. KANESHIGE, Shiho - 2:29:26

14. HORIE, Misato - 2:32:10

15. IKEMOTO, Ai - 2:34:17

16. FUJISAWA, Mai - 2:35:52

17. MORITA, Ayumi - 2:36:59

18. MATUMURA, Yukie - 2:37:24

19. OI, Chizuru - 2:38:05

20. NAKATA, Miho - 2:39:51

“I promised the Japanese people that I would go back for the Tokyo Marathon,” he explained of his choice for the Tokyo Marathon. “I am looking forward to running fast again and enjoy.”

Eliud Kipchoge's return to Tokyo, where he set the course record in 2021, strategically complements his pre-Paris competition schedule and ensures ample recovery time ahead of the Olympic marathon on August 10th.

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