Running News Daily

The 1500 meters is often called the “crown jewel” of middle-distance running, a race where tactics, speed, and heart all collide. At the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, both the men’s and women’s finals lived up to that reputation, delivering drama, comebacks, and world-class performances that will be remembered for years.

Men’s 1500m: A Thrilling Comeback

The men’s final produced one of the most electrifying finishes of the championships. For much of the race, the field remained tightly packed, with every move closely marked. As the bell rang for the final lap, the intensity soared, and the last 200 meters became an all-out sprint for glory.

Portugal’s Isaac Nader surged wide in the final stretch, clawing back ground with each stride before lunging at the line. His daring comeback forced a photo finish against Britain’s Jake Wightman, with both men collapsing past the tape in exhaustion. Officials confirmed Nader as the gold medalist in 3:34.10, edging Wightman’s 3:34.12 by just two hundredths of a second.

Kenya’s rising star Reynold Cheruiyot powered home for bronze in 3:34.25, while his compatriot and former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot finished fourth in 3:34.50. The razor-thin margins between the top four underscored the depth and unpredictability of today’s global 1500m racing.

Men’s Top Four – Tokyo 2025

1. Isaac Nader (Portugal) – 3:34.10

2. Jake Wightman (Great Britain) – 3:34.12

3. Reynold Cheruiyot (Kenya) – 3:34.25

4. Timothy Cheruiyot (Kenya) – 3:34.50

Women’s 1500m: Kipyegon Reigns Supreme

If the men’s race was decided by a hair’s breadth, the women’s final was about one athlete stamping her authority on the distance. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, already a legend of the sport, once again proved untouchable. She controlled the pace from the front and then crushed the field over the final 300 meters, crossing in a dominant 3:52.15 to secure another world title.

Behind her, teammate Dorcus Ewoi earned silver with a strong 3:54.92, holding off Australia’s Jessica Hull, who thrilled the Tokyo crowd with a gritty run for bronze in 3:55.16. Another Kenyan, Nelly Chepchirchir, rounded out the top four in 3:55.25, making it three Kenyans in the top four.

Women’s Top Four – Tokyo 2025

1. Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) – 3:52.15

2. Dorcus Ewoi (Kenya) – 3:54.92

3. Jessica Hull (Australia) – 3:55.16

4. Nelly Chepchirchir (Kenya) – 3:55.25

A Showcase of Middle-Distance Greatness

Between the men’s photo finish and Kipyegon’s continued dominance, the Tokyo 1500m finals captured everything fans love about this distance: courage, strategy, and the ability to deliver in the biggest moments.

For Isaac Nader, it was the race of his life, as he became Portugal’s first world champion in the 1500m. For Faith Kipyegon, it was another masterclass, further cementing her status as perhaps the greatest middle-distance runner in history. And for the fans, it was proof that the 1500m remains one of the most thrilling events on the track.