Veteran Marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge recorded one of his worst performances after finishing 10th in the Tokyo Marathon that happened on Sunday, March 3.
Kenyan Benson Kipruto clocked a remarkable 2:02:16 to win the Tokyo Marathon 2024 edition, leading compatriots Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich who finished second and third respectively to a podium sweep.
Kipruto also managed to break Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:02:40 course record and rose to the fifth overall position on the marathon all time-list.
In the Women’s race, Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru finished second behind Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede who won the Tokyo Women’s Marathon in 2:15:55.
President William Ruto led Kenyans in congratulating Kipruto and his compatriots in the race, noting that their “hard work and dedication to the sport’ had earned them all respect globally.
“Congratulations Benson Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich for the breathtaking podium sweep in the Tokyo Marathon. Your hard work and dedication to the sport have earned you all respect globally, and it makes us very proud of you,” President Ruto wrote after the race.
Also Read: GOAT Test: Kipchoge and Kiptum Records Ahead of Their Clash
Eliud Kipchoge hopes ahead of Paris Olympics
The race could come as a setback for Eliud Kipchoge who travelled to Tokyo, Japan hoping to use the race as part of his preparations for the Paris Olympics.
After winning the Berlin Marathon in September 2023, Kipchoge had hoped to carry on with his momentum in the Tokyo race which was the first in 2024 and coming only a few months to the 2024 Olympics.
Speaking ahead of the Tokyo Marathon, the two-time Olympic Champion said he had chosen Tokyo to be part of his preparations as a fulfilment of a promise he made when he last won the Tokyo Marathon in 2021.
Also Read: Kipchoge Breaks Silence After Kiptum Burial, Pays Tribute
With the death of compatriot and World Marathon Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum earlier February, Kipchoge was seen as the best-placed Kenyan flagbearer in Paris- given his proven prowess in the 42- kilometers race.
But questions about just how long Kipchoge, a man considered as a marathon great, can carry on with his streak of remarkable performances have been raised in the recent past after having registered mixed performances in his races.
In April 2023, the veteran athlete finished sixth in the Boston Marathon- registering his worst-ever finish in his marathon career by then.
After setting the pace through the first 19 miles, the Kenyan athlete drifted back for the remainder of the race, finishing three minutes behind winner Evans Chebet of Kenya. He would, however, bounce back in the Berlin Marathon where he won but failed to break his previous record.
