Running News Daily

The streets of New York witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in recent marathon history as Benson Kipruto of Kenya edged compatriot Alexander Mutiso by fractions of a second to win the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Both men were clocked at 2:08:09, with Kipruto leaning ahead in the final meters of Central Park to claim the title.

The victory marked a triumphant return to the top for Kipruto, who has previously won the Boston and Chicago Marathons. On a day when tactics mattered as much as fitness, he delivered a perfectly timed surge to secure the crown.

Alexander Mutiso finished a close second in 2:08:09, just 0.16 seconds behind, while 2021 New York champion Albert Korir completed the Kenyan sweep in third with a time of 2:08:57. Great Britain’s Patrick Dever ran a superb debut marathon to finish fourth in 2:08:58, and Swiss athlete Matthias Kyburz crossed the line fifth in 2:09:55.

All eyes were on Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion and marathon world record holder, making his long-awaited debut in New York. The legendary Kenyan started conservatively and remained in the lead pack through halfway, but the relentless climbs and bridges of the course eventually took their toll. Kipchoge finished 17th in 2:14:36, smiling as he crossed the line, suggesting this could be his final appearance at a World Marathon Major.

Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele also started among the favorites but faded after the 30-kilometer mark and did not finish the race. His withdrawal, along with Kipchoge’s struggles, highlighted the unique difficulty of New York’s course—one that tests strategy and strength more than sheer speed.

Despite the absence of a record-breaking time, the 2025 edition of the TCS New York City Marathon delivered unforgettable drama. The Kenyan trio’s podium sweep reaffirmed the country’s dominance in distance running, while thousands of runners from across the globe once again turned the streets of the five boroughs into a festival of endurance and inspiration.

Top 10 Men’s Results – 2025 TCS New York City Marathon:

1. Benson Kipruto (Kenya) – 2:08:09

2. Alexander Mutiso (Kenya) – 2:08:09

3. Albert Korir (Kenya) – 2:08:57

4. Patrick Dever (Great Britain) – 2:08:58

5. Matthias Kyburz (Switzerland) – 2:09:55

6. Joel Reichow (United States) – 2:09:56

7. Charles Hicks (United States) – 2:09:59

8. Sondre Moen (Norway) – 2:10:15

9. Tsegay Weldlibanos (Eritrea) – 2:10:36

10. Joe Klecker (United States) – 2:10:37

Eliud Kipchoge finished 17th in 2:14:36.

Kenenisa Bekele did not finish (DNF).

When the sun rises over Staten Island this Sunday, the world will witness something special — Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner of all time, running the TCS New York City Marathon for the first time. At 40, the Kenyan legend isn’t chasing records. He’s chasing completeness — the final chapter of a career that redefined endurance and possibility.

With two Olympic golds, 11 major marathon victories, and the historic sub-two-hour run, Kipchoge already stands alone. Yet New York remains the one missing jewel in his Abbott World Marathon Majors crown. “If I don’t complete all of them,” he says, “I feel like I am halfway. My legacy will be complete when I have a sixth star.”

But New York is no Berlin. Its hills and bridges test rhythm and resolve. Kipchoge faces a tough field, led by his former training partner and defending champion Abdi Nageeye, along with Benson Kipruto, Alexander Mutiso, and Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta. Nageeye, coming off a 2:04:20 in London, aims to defend his title and disrupt the legend’s farewell.

Still, for Kipchoge, this race is about purpose, not podiums. “My happiness is to see people getting interested in what I’m selling,” he says. “I’m selling the sport as a profession.” His mission now is to inspire — through running, mentorship, and his wellness platform Kotcha, which blends training, nutrition, and education. “We’re bringing knowledge to people’s fingertips,” he explains.

To him, running is a universal language. “All human beings are beautiful,” Kipchoge says. “The problem is ourselves — not using our knowledge.”

As 50,000 runners take on the five boroughs, Kipchoge’s presence turns the marathon into something larger — a meditation on effort, purpose, and legacy. His calm smile and relentless discipline remind the world that greatness isn’t about medals, but meaning.

On Sunday, as he strides through Central Park, Kipchoge won’t just be chasing a finish line. He’ll be closing a circle — running not for glory, but for the joy of fulfillment.

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, the five-borough spectacle of the New York City Marathon will unfold once again, offering more than 50,000 runners the chance to push 26.2 miles through the heart of New York. From the cannon blast on Staten Island to the triumphant finish in Central Park, this is a race that marries endurance, emotion and urban drama.

Kipchoge and Hassan Headline an Extraordinary Field

The biggest storyline heading into this year’s race is the presence of Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner in history, and Sifan Hassan, the double Olympic champion who stunned the world with marathon victories in both London and Chicago. For Kipchoge, New York completes his journey through all six Abbott World Marathon Majors — a crown that has eluded him until now.

Hassan, meanwhile, returns to the marathon distance after a string of world-class performances on both track and road, her fearless racing style perfectly suited to the unpredictable rhythm of New York’s streets.

They’ll face an elite field stacked with world-class names, including Benson Kipruto of Kenya (2:02:16 PB), Evans Chebet (two-time Boston champion, 2:03:00 PB), and defending champion Tamirat Tolaof Ethiopia (course record holder at 2:04:58). The women’s field is equally star-studded, featuring 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi, Tokyo winner Rosemary Wanjiru, and a host of East African contenders ready to test Hassan on one of the sport’s toughest stages.

Among the American hopefuls, Emily Sisson, the U.S. record holder in the marathon, headlines the women’s field and will make her New York debut. On the men’s side, Biya Simbassa leads the U.S. charge, joined by a deep domestic field racing for top-American honors and prize bonuses.

Course Records

• Men: 2:04:58 — Tamirat Tola (ETH), 2023

• Women: 2:22:31 — Margaret Okayo (KEN), 2003

These records reflect both top-tier performance and the challenging character of the course — rather than flat, pacer-assisted routes that routinely see world-record times.

Prize Purse

The stakes are high. Open-division winners stand to earn $100,000, with descending prizes through 10th place. The event also offers a $50,000 bonus for a winner who breaks the standing course record, plus separate prize pools for top U.S. finishers and wheelchair divisions. With total payouts approaching nearly a million dollars, the financial motivation is real — even if the course isn’t built for world-record thrills.

Why a World Record Isn’t Realistic

Make no mistake: the New York course is legendary for its toughness rather than its speed. Runners face five major bridge crossings, a long ascent up the Queensboro Bridge around mile 15–16, variable terrain, sharp turns and a final push up Fifth Avenue into Central Park. Unlike flat, pacemaker-led courses such as Berlin or Chicago, NYC emphasises tactical racing, rivalries and finish-line theatre. The organising body eliminated dedicated elite pacemakers years ago in favour of pure head-to-head competition.

While pace groups may support recreational waves, elite winners will race without the type of structured pacemaking that enables constant sub-2:03 splits. In short: this is a championship-style contest, not a time-trial.

What Makes NYC Unique

• Cityscape & crowd noise: From Staten Island’s Verrazzano Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn’s vibrant neighborhoods, the Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan’s First Avenue and the final loop in Central Park, the scenery is unmatched.

• Massive scale but elite depth: The global field, the tens of thousands of recreational runners, the international media — the race’s atmosphere is unmatched in road-racing.

• Legacy of racing over timing: Past editions have celebrated bold attacks and dramatic finishes more than normally smooth pacing. That makes this one of the world’s most storied and unpredictable marathons.

What to Watch on November 2

• How Kipchoge adapts his disciplined, flat-course style to a course that demands rhythm changes, hills and surges.

• Whether Hassan will leverage her track speed and tenacity to counter a course that rewards strength and race-tactics.

• Whether Sisson (and other U.S. entrants) can navigate the final tougher miles to claim top-American status or even an open podium spot.

• The weather and pacing strategy: any wind across the bridges or mis-timed surge could decide the race more than early splits.

• Whether someone dares to go after Tola’s 2:04 : 58 mark — unlikely but possible under perfect conditions.

The 2025 New York City Marathon is more than a race. It is a testament to endurance, to the city that hosts it and to runners who thrive in challenge rather than comfort. Kipchoge and Hassan bring star power. The U.S. challengers bring ambition. And the 50,000+ starters bring stories.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best, seeking a finish-line moment or just watching from the sidelines, November 2 will be unforgettable. The bridges, the boroughs, the final climb into Central Park — the city will judge your resolve. And with no pacemakers to pull you through, this year’s finishers will know they earned every step with heart.

Every November, the streets of New York City transform. Five boroughs become a stage. Dreams meet asphalt.

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon is fast approaching — and for runners, coaches, and fans alike, it remains one of the most electric events on the global running calendar.

The Big Picture

• Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025

• Field size: More than 55,000 runners representing over 130 nations will take on the 26.2-mile journey from Staten Island to Central Park.

• Defending champions: Abdi Nageeye (Netherlands) and Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya) return to defend their crowns.

• Debut stars: Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan will make their long-awaited New York debuts — a storyline that has the running world buzzing.

• Classic route: The course again threads through all five boroughs, starting at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and finishing in Central Park.

• Sustainability focus: Organizers at New York Road Runners (NYRR) continue to expand environmental initiatives, including recyclable aluminum water bottles and reduced single-use plastics.

Course Records

• Men’s Record: 2:04:58 – Tamirat Tola (2023)

• Women’s Record: 2:22:31 – Margaret Okayo (2003)

Both marks remain tough to challenge on New York’s rolling, bridge-laden course — but with Kipchoge, Chebet, and Nageeye in the men’s field, and Hassan, Obiri, and Lokedi among the women, the potential for history is very real.

Men’s Elite Highlights

• Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) – two-time Olympic champion, 2:01:09 PB, running NYC for the first time.

• Abdi Nageeye (Netherlands) – defending champion and Olympic silver medalist.

• Evans Chebet (Kenya) – two-time Boston Marathon champion.

• Benson Kipruto (Kenya) – Chicago 2022 winner.

• Albert Korir (Kenya) – former NYC champion.

• Joe Klecker (USA) – U.S. Olympian making his marathon debut.

• Hillary Bor (USA) – U.S. steeplechase champion transitioning to the roads.

• Charles Hicks (USA) – NCAA cross-country champion now turning professional.

Women’s Elite Highlights

• Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) – Olympic champion, winner in London (2023) and Chicago (2024).

• Hellen Obiri (Kenya) – Boston 2023 and NYC 2023 champion.

• Sharon Lokedi (Kenya) – NYC 2022 winner, still a local favorite.

• Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya) – defending NYC champion.

• Emily Sisson (USA) – current American marathon record holder (2:18:29).

• Molly Seidel (USA) – Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist.

• Fiona O’Keeffe (USA) – 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials marathon champion.

• Susanna Sullivan (USA) – Top-10 finisher at Boston 2023, consistent national contender.

This year’s field features 49 Olympians and Paralympians, nine past major marathon winners, and 16 medalists from Olympic or World Championship events — arguably the deepest lineup in New York history.

What Makes New York Unique (and Brutal)

• Rolling terrain and bridges: The Verrazzano, Pulaski, Queensboro, and Willis bridges each sap rhythm and energy.

• Crowd power: Two million spectators line the course, creating unmatched atmosphere — and volume.

• Late-season unpredictability: Weather can swing from cold drizzle to crisp fall perfection.

• Tactical racing: With its uneven pacing demands, NYC rewards strategy over pure speed.

Storylines to Watch

• Kipchoge’s debut: The marathon GOAT takes on the sport’s loudest stage. Can he master New York’s relentless hills and twists?

• Hassan’s bold quest: Coming off London and Chicago wins, can she complete the trifecta in her first NYC appearance?

• Lokedi vs. Obiri: The Kenyan duo continue their fierce rivalry on familiar ground.

• Nageeye’s defense: Last year’s champion faces his toughest test yet with Chebet and Kipruto in pursuit.

• American charge: Sisson, Seidel, O’Keeffe, and Sullivan lead the most complete U.S. women’s team in years — while Klecker and Bor look to ignite the next chapter for American men’s marathoning.

• Record watch: Tola’s 2:04:58 may finally be tested, and Okayo’s 22-year-old mark could fall if conditions align.

For Runners and Coaches

• Train the bridges. Practice long tempo runs that mimic New York’s undulating rhythm.

• Respect the pace. The roar of Brooklyn can trick even the best into going out too fast.

• Fuel flexibly. NYRR’s eco-station setup may differ from other majors — plan accordingly.

• Stay mentally sharp. The final 10 K through Central Park can break anyone unprepared for its hills.

• Layer smartly. Start slightly chilled; the crowds and effort will warm you fast.

The Bottom Line

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon blends star power, unpredictability, and history like no other race. From Kipchoge’s long-awaited debut to the fiercest women’s field ever assembled in New York, every mile promises drama.

For runners chasing personal bests, and for millions of spectators lining the streets or watching from afar, November 2 will again remind us why this marathon is more than a race — it’s a celebration of endurance, spirit, and the human story that unfolds across 26.2 miles of the world’s greatest city.

Two years apart, on the same streets of Chicago, two East African greats delivered marathon performances that will be remembered for generations.

In 2023, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world with his 2:00:35 world record, a run that redefined endurance and perfection.

In 2025, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, already the half marathon world record holder, returned to Chicago for his second career marathon and clocked 2:02:23 — his personal best and the seventh-fastest marathon ever run.

Split by Split — The Chicago Comparison

How They Ran

Kelvin Kiptum (2023):

Kiptum ran one of the most perfectly executed marathons in history. After a steady opening half in 1:00:48, he unleashed a ferocious negative split of 59:47, the fastest second half ever recorded. His closing 10K in 27:52 sealed a new world record and forever changed how we think about the marathon.

Jacob Kiplimo (2025):

After finishing second in his marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon, Kiplimo arrived in Chicago more prepared — and fearless. From the start, he attacked the course, opening in 13:58 for 5K, the fastest ever in Chicago. Through 30K, he was over a minute ahead of Kiptum’s world-record pace. Although he slowed slightly in the final 10K, his 2:02:23 finish was the fastest ever by an Ugandan and the 7th-fastest marathon in history.

⚖️ The Contrast

• Strategy: Kiptum’s patience vs. Kiplimo’s aggression.

• Halfway: Kiplimo led by 32 seconds at 21.1K.

• Closing Power: Kiptum’s final 7K (13:51 split) remains unmatched.

• Outcome: Kiplimo’s performance wasn’t a world record, but it confirmed his place among the greatest marathoners of his generation.

Legacy and Continuation

Tragically, Kelvin Kiptum was killed in a car accident in Kenya in February 2024, just months after his world-record run. His passing shocked the running world and ended the career of a man many believed would one day break two hours on a record-eligible course.

When Jacob Kiplimo returned to Chicago in 2025, it felt like a continuation of that story — a symbolic passing of the torch. Running on the same course where Kiptum made history, Kiplimo carried forward the East African legacy of excellence, courage, and speed.

Final Thoughts

Kiptum’s 2:00:35 remains the marathon’s gold standard — calm, controlled, and utterly brilliant.

Kiplimo’s 2:02:23 showed fearless front-running and a promise of what’s still to come.

Two men. Two races. One city.

Chicago — where the modern marathon’s greatest chapters continue to be written.

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The 9 Fastest Men’s Marathons of All Time (as of Oct 13, 2025)

It’s been exactly one year since Kelvin Kiptum did what many believed was impossible — he shattered the marathon world record in Chicago, stopping the clock at 2:00:35.

On October 8, 2023, the 23-year-old Kenyan didn’t just win a race — he redefined the limits of human endurance.

As the world prepares for this year’s Chicago Marathon, it’s impossible not to feel the silence he left behind.

That crisp Sunday morning, Kiptum delivered a performance that stunned the running world. Gliding through Chicago’s streets with unrelenting rhythm, he dropped the field, surged mile after mile, and erased Eliud Kipchoge’s seemingly untouchable world record of 2:01:09 by 34 seconds.

It was only his third marathon. He had never lost one.

Chicago had seen greatness before — but never like this.

And then, just months later, he was gone.

In February 2024, Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, were killed in a car crash on a quiet road in Kenya. The sport lost more than a record-breaker; it lost a phenomenon — a man who seemed destined to become the first human to run under two hours in an official race.

That dream — carried in Kiptum’s quiet confidence and thunderous stride — vanished that night. His record, ratified only days before his death, stands as both a triumph and a tombstone.

But legends don’t end with tragedy — they echo.

As the 2025 Chicago Marathon approaches, the course remembers. Every stretch of asphalt, every cheer from the crowd, every runner chasing a personal best this weekend — they all run in the shadow of Kiptum’s greatness.  

Because Kelvin Kiptum didn’t just run a race.

He ran into history — and never returned.

His Legacy Lives On

Across Kenya and beyond, his story continues to inspire a new generation of runners — from the dirt roads of the Rift Valley to the streets of Chicago, Boston, and Berlin. Athletes like Benson Kipruto, Evans Chebet, and countless others now carry his fire forward, chasing their own dreams with the same fearless rhythm that once shook the marathon world.

Kelvin Kiptum’s stride may have stopped, but his impact will keep moving — every time someone dares to believe that impossible is only a pace away.

In a sport often defined by national pride, few stories cut across borders like that of Jordan Guenther, an American who has become one of the most recognizable and beloved supporters of Kenyan athletics. Despite not being a coach, manager, or official, Guenther has carved out a unique space within the global running community—one built entirely on passion, consistency, and genuine admiration.

You might spot him at major championships in Paris, Budapest, or Eugene—not just in the stands, but shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Faith Kipyegon, Kelvin Kiptum, and Ruth Chepngetich, proudly wearing Kenyan gear and cheering louder than anyone.

From Fan to Family

Jordan’s journey into the heart of Kenyan athletics started simply—as a fan. But his actions quickly separated him from the crowd. He didn’t just cheer from afar. He learned Swahili. He wore the team colors. He showed up—again and again.

At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Faith Kipyegon, arguably the greatest female middle-distance runner in history, gifted him a race kit with her name printed on the bib. It was more than a gesture—it was an embrace.

“He’s one of us,” said a Kenyan fan at the time. “More Kenyan than some Kenyans.”

The sentiment was echoed by many in the athletics community. Guenther was affectionately nicknamed “Kipchumba”, meaning “son of Kip” in Swahili, and his growing bond with Kenyan athletes became a story of its own.

A Constant Presence

Guenther has attended countless major events around the world, often at his own expense. He has been spotted:

• Hosting pre-marathon meals with top stars like Benson Kipruto and Joyciline Jepkosgei

• Posing for photos in full Kenyan tracksuits

• Traveling to Paris, Monaco, and Nairobi to support athletes not just in competition—but in spirit

His unwavering dedication has made him a symbol of what sports fandom can be: personal, respectful, and deeply felt.

Behind the Scenes

Despite the growing attention, little is publicly known about Jordan’s background or source of income. He maintains a low profile online and is not affiliated with any official athletic federation. What is clear is that his commitment is real and lasting—and that athletes trust him.

The Kenya Tourism Board even highlighted Guenther in promotional materials, recognizing his unique role in promoting the country’s sports culture on a global stage.

“He doesn’t do it for the cameras,” said one coach. “He does it because he cares.”

Why It Matters

In a world where sports often feel transactional, Guenther represents something purer. His story is a reminder that connection doesn’t require contracts—it requires consistency. And that love for a team, a country, or a culture can transcend boundaries.

At a time when global athletics is searching for new audiences and deeper engagement, the story of Jordan Guenther offers a blueprint: show up, give respect, and let your actions speak louder than your voice.

Jordan Guenther may not hold a title, but he holds the respect of some of the greatest athletes in the world. And in the global family of distance running, he’s not just a fan—he’s one of the tribe.

The Tokyo Marathon 2025, set for Sunday, March 2, promises to be a thrilling contest as some of the world’s fastest distance runners converge on one of the flattest and fastest courses in the marathon circuit. As the opening race of the expanded Abbott World Marathon Majors series, now featuring seven races with the addition of the Sydney Marathon, Tokyo will set the tone for the global marathon season.

The men’s field features a star-studded lineup, headlined by Benson Kipruto of Kenya, who returns to defend his title after setting a Japanese all-comers record of 2:02:16 last year. Kipruto, known for his tactical racing style and strong finishing kick, will face fierce competition from Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the world record holder in the 5000m and 10000m. Cheptegei’s marathon debut has generated significant buzz, as he transitions from dominating the track to testing his endurance over 42.195 kilometers. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, who clocked an impressive 2:02:38 in Valencia last year, is another serious contender. Meanwhile, Japan’s Akira Akasaki and Yohei Ikeda, both fresh from breakthrough performances in 2024, will look to shine on home soil and challenge the international elites.

On the women’s side, Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede returns after her dominant win in Tokyo last year, where she clocked 2:15:55—the fastest time ever run on Japanese soil. She’ll face stiff competition from Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru, the 2023 Tokyo Marathon champion, and Brigid Kosgei, the former world record holder and 2022 Tokyo winner. Ethiopia’s rising stars Tigist Ketema, who claimed victory in Berlin last fall, and Hawi Feysa, winner of the Frankfurt Marathon, add further intrigue to an already stacked field. Japan’s Ai Hosoda, with a personal best of 2:20:31 from Berlin, and Yuka Ando, the 2024 Nagoya Women’s Marathon champion, will be eager to make an impact in front of their home crowd.

The Tokyo Marathon course offers a scenic and historically rich route through the heart of Japan’s capital. Starting at the towering Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, runners will weave through iconic districts such as Asakusa, Ginza, and Ueno. The course includes long, flat stretches with minimal turns, creating ideal conditions for fast times. The final kilometers will lead runners past Tokyo Tower and along the Imperial Palace moat, culminating near Tokyo Station on Gyoko-dori Avenue. Known for its efficiency and vibrant atmosphere, Tokyo’s marathon route consistently attracts runners chasing personal bests and national records.

While the official prize structure for the 2025 edition has not yet been announced, historical trends suggest a total purse of around 40.3 million Japanese Yen (approximately $286,000 USD). Both the men’s and women’s champions are expected to earn 11 million Yen each (approximately $78,100 USD), with additional payouts for podium finishes and record-breaking performances. Special awards will also be presented to top finishers in the semi-elite and university-affiliated categories, ensuring a broad distribution of recognition across all competitive levels.

Beyond the competition itself, the Tokyo Marathon is known for its electric atmosphere and world-class organization. Thousands of volunteers and enthusiastic spectators line the streets, while the pre-race expo offers participants and visitors a chance to engage with brands, explore new running gear, and celebrate the spirit of the sport. The race also continues its commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, with initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting running as a global community sport.

As the countdown to race day continues, all eyes will be on Tokyo to see who emerges victorious in what promises to be an unforgettable showdown of endurance, strategy, and speed. For elite runners, Tokyo offers not just a chance to claim victory but to set the tone for the year ahead in the ever-competitive world of distance running.

Sutume Kebede and Benson Kipruto will defend their titles when they form part of strong fields announced for the Tokyo Marathon – a World Athletics Platinum Label road race – on 2 March.

Ethiopia’s Kebede, who set a Japanese all-comers' record of 2:15:55 when winning in Tokyo last year, is set to be joined by five other women to have dipped under 2:18 in a field that features a total of 11 sub-2:20 runners.

Two of them are also formers winners, with Brigid Kosgei and Rosemary Wanjiru returning after their respective victories in 2022 and 2023.

Kenya’s former world record-holder Kosgei is the fastest in the field with her PB of 2:14:04 set in Chicago in 2019, while her compatriot Wanjiru ran 2:16:14 when finishing runner-up to Kebede in Tokyo last year.

Among those joining them are Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema, who ran 2:16:07 on her debut in Dubai just over a year ago, and multiple global gold medallist Tirunesh Dibaba.

Their compatriots Hawi Feysa, who won in Frankfurt in October in 2:17:25, 2022 world champion Gotytom Gebreslase and 2021 London Marathon runner-up Degitu Azimeraw have also been announced, along with Japan’s Ai Hosoda and Yuka Ando.

Kenya’s Kipruto, who also set a Japanese all-comers' record when winning in Tokyo last year in 2:02:16, will be joined in the men’s race by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder who returns to the roads to contest his second marathon after his 2:08:59 debut in Valencia in 2023.

The field features six sub-2:04 athletes, with Kipruto joined by Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, the Olympic fifth-place finisher and Valencia Marathon runner-up who has a best of 2:02:38, plus two-time Tokyo Marathon winner Birhanu Legese, Tadese Takele and Dawit Wolde, as well as Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, who was third last year.

The line-up also includes Ethiopia’s world bronze medallist Leul Gebresilase, Uganda’s Stephen Kissa, Japan’s Yohei Ikeda and Akira Akasaki, and Kenya’s Benard Koech, who makes his marathon debut.

Elite fields

WomenBrigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:04Sutume Kebede (ETH) 2:15:55Tigist Ketema (ETH) 2:16:07Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) 2:16:14Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:17:25Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) 2:17:56Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:17:58Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) 2:18:11Winfridah Moraa Moseti (KEN) 2:18:25Mestawut Fikir (ETH) 2:18:48Magdalyne Masai (KEN) 2:18:58Ai Hosoda (JPN) 2:20:31Desi Jisa Mokonin (BRN) 2:20:47Yuka Ando (JPN) 2:21:18Jessica Stenson (AUS) 2:24:01Zhang Deshun (CHN) 2:24:05Rie Kawauchi (JPN) 2:25:35Kaori Morita (JPN) 2:26:31Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh (MGL) 2:26:32Shiho Kaneshige (JPN) 2:28:51

MenBenson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:16Deresa Geleta (ETH) 2:02:38Birhanu Legese (ETH) 2:02:48Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) 2:03:13Tadese Takele (ETH) 2:03:24Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:03:48Leul Gebresilase (ETH) 2:04:02Stephen Kissa (UGA) 2:04:48Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) 2:04:49Amedework Walelegn (ETH) 2:04:50Titus Kipruto (KEN) 2:04:54Yohei Ikeda (JPN) 2:05:12Suguru Osako (JPN) 2:05:29Mulugeta Asefa Uma (ETH) 2:05:33Ichitaka Yamashita (JPN) 2:05:51Kenya Sonota (JPN) 2:05:59Hiroto Inoue (JPN) 2:06:47He Jie (CHN) 2:06:57Vincent Raimoi (KEN) 2:07:01Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) 2:07:14Akira Akasaki (JPN) 2:07:32Suldan Hassan (SWE) 2:07:36Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 2:08:59Benard Koech (KEN) debutGeoffrey Toroitich (KEN) debut

Benson Kipruto aims to defend his Tokyo Marathon title and achieve greater milestones in 2025 after winning bronze at Paris Olympic Games.

Olympic marathon bronze medallist Benson Kipruto has disclosed plans to defend his Tokyo Marathon title in 2025.

Next year’s edition of the event is scheduled for Sunday, March 2 and Kipruto is working around the clock to ensure he is ready for the challenge.

At this year’s edition of the Tokyo Marathon, Kipruto upset a strong field comprising former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge among other stars to take the top prize.

Kipchoge, despite his familiarity of the event, ended up finishing distant 10th after winning the 2022 edition of the event.

With such a confidence boost, Kipruto went to claim the bronze at the Paris Olympic Games and has not looked back since then.

The Kenyan road running sensation is not resting on his laurels as he sharpens his talons for the next assignment. He will not be enjoying the festive season like other people since he will be deep into training.

However, Kipruto revealed that if opportunity arises, he will be looking to spend more time with his family and relatives.

“I’m preparing for the marathon next year, the first marathon of the year, that is the Tokyo Marathon and I’m preparing to go and defend my title,” Kipruto said in an interview with CGTN Africa.

“I hold the course record for this year and next year I’m trying to go and run a fast time and break the course record again.

“This festive season, I’ll be in training and not celebrating that much but I will try and enjoy with my relatives and family.”

Remembering his experience at the Paris Olympic Games, Kipruto explained that it was a great experience and expressed interest in representing the country once again.

The 2022 Chicago Marathon champion revealed that he was aware of the tough course and hard worked hard in training with the intentions of properly tackling it.

“Paris was a good experience for me…it was my first time to represent my country and the course itself was tough but I knew it, and I prepared well for it,” Kipruto said.

“I prepared for the tough conditions and I knew what to expect. Despite the course being uphill and downhill, the conditions were also hot but we managed.”

Sutume Kebede secured a second successive Tata Steel Kolkata World 25K crown, while Stephen Kissa beat defending champion Daniel Ebenyo to the men’s title in the World Athletics Gold Label road race on Sunday (15).

Ethiopia’s Kebede recovered from a stomach issue just in time to defend her title. She set a stand-alone world 25km best of 1:18:47 to win last year’s race and this time clocked 1:19:21 to triumph ahead of Kenya’s Viola Chepngeno and Bahrain’s Desi Jisa.

Kebede was challenged by 2022 winner Jisa and Chpengeno, but after Chpengeno started to fade over the final couple of kilometres, Kebede became a clear leader after 23km.

Chepngeno finished second in 1:19:48, while Jisa finished a distant third in 1:21:33.

“I am very happy to win (here) again,” said Kebede. “I wanted to break the course record but was a little tired of travelling. I am training for the next year and will participate in marathons.”

In the men’s race, Uganda’s Kissa rebounded to log his first win in an international competition in five years.

The lead group of Ebenyo, Benson Kipruto, Kissa and Haymanot Alew reached 10km in 28:42. Last year’s winner Ebenyo – who also set a stand-alone world best for 25km (1:11:13) when winning last year's race – looked strong, remaining at the helm or alongside Kissa for much of the race.

They reached 15km in 42:56, with Ebenyo and Kissa still leading the pack as the pace picked up along the tram tracks of South Kolkata. Kipruto dropped off as Kissa took the lead at the 20km mark, clocking 57:50, with Ebenyo close behind.

Ebenyo tried to move away from Kissa but the Ugandan athlete held off the challenge to sprint to the tape and win in 1:12:33.

Ebenyo finished runner-up four seconds later, while Anthony Kipchirchir came through for third place in 1:12:55.

“I realised that I ran well today,” said Kissa. “I thought this could be my day. At the last kilometre I was comfortable, and I knew I could do it.”

Ebenyo, who finished fifth on his marathon debut in Chicago in October, said: “Every day, a champion is born in sports. Last year, it was me. This year, it was Kissa. That is the fun of sports. I am very happy. He has flown the flag of Uganda and congratulations. I was a little tired this year as I did not recover from the Chicago Marathon. I will take a break for the festive season and spend time with my family. I felt some fatigue today, but it is sports.”

Life has changed for the better for Olympic bronze medal-winning Kenyan marathoner Benson Kipruto.

The 33-year-old, who earned a Paris Olympic medal in his debut competition for his country, took a break to soak in the massive euphoria back home.    

During this time, he began constructing his dream house -- "now 90% complete" -- and exactly four months later, he is set for his much-anticipated comeback at the Tata Steel World 25K in Kolkata on Sunday to test how his body has adapted.    

"Life has changed since Paris. I'm now getting a lot of invitations to run in marathons," Kipruto told reporters during an interaction ahead of the race day.    

"I'm building a house in a small village near my training place -- it's 90% complete now. This is all thanks to my running achievements," he proudly stated.    

Kipruto was raised by his mother after his father died. He could not always attend school and worked in a farm before trying his luck in running inspired by the success of his elder brother Dickson Chumba.

He went on to win the Boston Marathon in 2021, followed by victories at the Chicago Marathon in 2022 and the Tokyo Marathon in 2024 where he clocked his personal best of 2:02:16. He also claimed second place at the Chicago Marathon in 2023.    

Paris Olympics was his first event for Kenya and he won the bronze with a timing of 2:07.00.  "After Paris, there was a massive celebration. It was my first time representing my country, and winning a bronze medal was a huge achievement for me. "I had never represented my country in any international event before -- nowhere, never. It was my first time representing Kenya on such a stage, and it felt incredible."    

After Paris, Benson took a well-deserved break to recover, skipping other races to focus on his physical and mental well-being. Now, with his sights set on returning to competition, he eyes to dethrone his compatriot Daniel Ebenyo who is also the event record holder. "After Paris, I decided to take a break. I didn't participate in any races for a while. Initially, I was supposed to run in Chicago, but I said no because Paris was tough, and I needed time to recover. "I've now started preparing for my next marathon. That's why I came here to participate and see how my body has adapted after the break," he added.    

Asked about his consistency and advice to the youngsters, he said: "Consistency in our sport comes with many things, but the most important is discipline. "Discipline is key. Second is training and being patient. Patience pays off, and that comes from the level of training you commit to," said Kipruto, a fan of two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge.    

"I usually run 25–30 kilometers a day. This routine helps me adapt to marathon running and maintain my performance," he concluded.

Ugandan teenager Loice Chekwemoi and Kenya’s Samwel Chebolei Masai were unrivalled at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country – a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting – held on the outskirts of Eldoret on Saturday (7).

Pre-race favourite Chekwemoi, aged just 17, won the women’s race by more than 80 seconds, while 23-year-old Chebolei had a tighter contest in the men’s event.

Ethiopian teenager Shimeles Mekides Molla put in an early surge after the first 2km loop of the women’s 10km race with Chekwemoi and Abigael Chepkoech trailing close behind.

Molla’s lead was short-lived, though, because Chekwemoi moved to the front and opened a gap steadily. It wasn’t long before the African steeplechase champion was running alone out in front with just the thousands of spectators for company.

The Ugandan teenager went on to finish in 34:32, while Molla was almost a minute-and-a-half behind, clocking 35:57 for the runner-up spot. Celestine Biwot completed the podium in 36:43.

“I couldn’t believe that I could win in the home of champions but I told myself I am also a champion and I have to fight for it,” said Chekwemoi. “To be a champion is not easy but I see progression and I am working hard to make sure I qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo next year.”

By contrast, there were 10 athletes running close together at the end of the first lap in the men’s race. That pack was soon reduced to five men, including world U20 cross-country bronze medallist Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto, 2019 African Games 5000m champion Robert Kiprop, and Samwel Chebolei, who was fifth at this year’s World Cross, contributing to Kenya’s team gold medal.

Heading into the fourth lap, Kipruto led from Kiprop and Chebolei. Kipruto’s challenge faded in the closing stages, though, while Chebolei proved to have the stronger finishing kick. He crossed the line in 30:49 to win by nine seconds. Kiprop took second place, improving on his fourth-place finish from last year. Pre-race favourite Kipruto was third in 31:12.

“I had to fight because there were a lot of good athletes in this race, it was not easy,” said Chebolei. “After the third lap, we still felt energetic and the three of us decided to drop the rest and the maths worked for us. I am hoping to build up from here and represent Kenya in Tokyo.”

Kevin Kiprop Biwott won the U20 men’s race, beating world U20 5000m champion Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi by 17 seconds.

Cynthia Chepkurui, who was ninth at the African Cross Country Championships earlier this year, this time emerged as the winner in the U20 women’s 6km race in 21:17.

Several of Kenya’s leading athletes, past and present, attended the Great Chepsaita Cross Country, including Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Benson Kipruto, David Rudisha, Julius Yego and Janeth Jepkosgei.

The ninth edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, the world's first World Athletics Gold Label 25K race, is set to take place on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

With a prize pool of USD 142,214 and equal rewards for men and women, the event will see elite athletes competing for top honors on the fast and scenic streets of Kolkata.

Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) and Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia), defending champions and current event record holders, will lead the star-studded lineup. Ebenyo set the men's record at 1:11:13 last year, while Kebede clocked 1:18:47 to dominate the women's race. Both are determined to better their timings and defend their titles.

Ebenyo aims to surpass his personal best and challenge the unofficial world record of 1:11:08, set by Eliud Kipchoge during a marathon split. "The Kolkata roads are fast, and conditions are ideal; it's a perfect opportunity to defend my title and better my timing," Ebenyo said.

Women's Race

The women's field is packed with talent. Kebede, the reigning champion, has shown remarkable improvement this year with personal bests in the half marathon (1:04:37) and marathon (2:15:55). Her competition includes:

Desi Jisa (Bahrain), the 2022 champion, known for her strong performances in marathons and cross-country events.

Degitu Azimeraw (Ethiopia), 2017 Kolkata champion, fresh off a sixth-place finish at the Chicago Marathon following a comeback post-maternity break. Alemaddis Eyayu (Ethiopia), winner of the 2024 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, making her 25K debut.Viola Chepngeno (Kenya), a consistent top-three finisher in international races. Sintayehu Lewetegn (Ethiopia), a World Cross-country bronze medalist. Men's Race Along with the current champion Daniel Ebenyo, there will be some other tough competitors as well.Benson Kipruto (Kenya), Tokyo Marathon 2024 champion and Paris Olympics bronze medalist, who was officially timed at 1:11:39 for 25K this year. Stephen Kissa (Uganda), fifth in the 2023 World Championships Marathon and a half marathon PB of 58:56.Haymanot Alew (Ethiopia), a top performer from last year's race, eager to make it to the podium. Diriba Girma (Ethiopia), making his debut and aiming to follow in the footsteps of his world-champion brother, Lamecha Girma. With runners motivated by an Event Record Bonus of USD 5,000, the competition promises excitement and potentially record-breaking performances.

Daniel Ebenyo and Benson Kipruto are among top runners scheduled to compete in India this weekend.

If you think athletes are taking a break from running since the festive season is here, maybe you should fasten up your seat belt because things are just getting started.

The track season is now over and the runners have shifted focus to the road races to continue chasing the bag and staying in the loop as far as fitness is concerned. Top athletes have since been confirmed for the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, the World’s 1st Gold Label 25K scheduled for December 15.

Daniel Ebenyo is not resting on his laurels and he is just fresh from racing in the senior men’s race at the Athletics Kenya cross-country leg in Bomet. Ebenyo has had a mixed season and he was just taking some time off before coming back into the grind, ready to show the world what they have missing out on.

He was hoping to make his Olympic debut in Paris, France but a tragic fall during the 10,000m trials at the Prefontaine Classic saw him miss out on a podium finish, something that still haunts him to date. Daniel Ebenyo insisted that he was in the form of his life and would have won Kenya a medal.

The world 10,000m silver medallist made a huge milestone later in the season, making his full marathon debut at the Chicago Marathon where he placed fifth. He returns to a familiar course where he threatened the 25km world best last year with his dominant win. He won the race in a new course record time of 1:11:13.

“The Kolkata roads are fast, and conditions are ideal; it is a perfect opportunity for me to defend my title and better my timing,” the reigning champion Daniel Ebenyo revealed.

He will be challenged by Benson Kipruto, a master in road running who will be out to continue his dominant form in India. Kipruto won the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year, beating Eliud Kipchoge and then proceeded to claim the bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, the women’s defending champion, Sutume Kebede also returns after winning last year’s race dominantly in 1:18:47. Kebede has been impressive this season, improving her personal best times in the half marathon (1:04:37) and marathon (2:15:55) to take initial world leads in both events this season.

US $142,214 prize money has been set aside for the top finishers. The top three finishers will win $15000, $10000, and $7000, respectively.

Sabastian Sawe is bubbling with confidence ahead of his marathon debut in Valencia on Sunday as he gears up for a race against legends Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele.

Sabastian Sawe will be making his full marathon on Sunday at the Valencia Marathon and he expects to have a great outing, racing against a stacked field.

His greatest opposition will come from the Ethiopian duo of Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele but he is confident in his training and has fingers crossed to post impressive results.

Sabastian Sawe’s previous outings in Valencia have not yielded great results as he was forced to finish outside the podium bracket and as he takes on a greater milestone, he hopes for great results.

The world half marathon champion competed at the 2022 Valencia Half Marathon where he finished sixth before heading to finish fifth at the 2023 edition of the race. He revealed that he will be competing with his mentors in the field and that gives him a lot of optimism that he will run a great race.

“Thank you for inviting me and thank you to the race organizers. My condolences to the tragedy that has happened in Valencia. This time, I hope for good results, I have trained well and I’m well prepared for it,” Sabastian Sawe said in a pre-race press conference.

“I’m eager to run with mentors like Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele who are strong opponents and I hope they help me to run well and I hope to get good results. It will be my first time running the full marathon and I don’t want to predict any fast times but I’m ready.”

He trains with the likes of Olympic marathon bronze medallist Benson Kipruto and the 2022 New York City marathon champion Evans Kipruto under coach Claudio Berardelli and there is a lot he has picked from them as he prepares for the debut.

He promised to execute everything learnt from his training mates who are also accomplished marathon runners.

“My training mates have encouraged me a lot because they are also my mentors and they have taught me a lot. I’m ready, on Sunday to use everything they have taught me,” he shared.

year filled with unforgettable moments in the sport, the nominations highlight remarkable performances from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, Label road races, and other global events.

World Athletics announced the nominees for the esteemed 2024 Track Athlete of the Year award last week. The list of 12 outstanding athletes features some of the biggest names in international athletics, each having left a significant mark on the season.

The nominees for 2024 Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year are:

Sutume Asefa Kebede, Ethiopia

• Tokyo Marathon winner• No.2 marathon time of 2024

Sutume Asefa Kebede made waves this year with her victory at the Tokyo Marathon, clocking in at 2:15:55, the fastest marathon time of 2024, securing her place as the eighth-fastest woman in marathon history. Since her debut in 2016, Kebede has steadily risen through marathon ranks, often training alongside her husband and coach, Birhanu Mekonnen, whose support has been instrumental. Along with her Tokyo triumph, she delivered an exceptional performance at the Houston Half Marathon, winning in 1:04:37, a record-breaking time on US soil.

Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya

• World marathon record• Chicago Marathon winner

Ruth Chepngetich solidified her status as the world’s top marathoner by winning this year’s Chicago Marathon with a groundbreaking world record, becoming the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier with a time of 2:09:56. She also holds the world record for the half marathon and has consistently excelled in major marathons. Known for her bold, high-powered pacing, Chepngetich’s approach has led to multiple victories throughout her career, including previous wins in both Chicago and London.

Sifan Hassan, Netherlands

• Olympic marathon champion• Olympic record

Dutch runner Sifan Hassan’s victory in the Olympic marathon in Paris marked a pivotal achievement in her celebrated career, as she set a new Olympic record. Renowned for her versatility, Hassan has excelled across a range of distances, both on the track and road. Her transition from shorter track events—where she’s earned medals and set records—to marathon racing initially surprised many. However, she showcased her remarkable endurance and adaptability by winning not only at the Olympics but also in London and Chicago in 2023.

Tigist Ketema, Ethiopia

• Berlin Marathon winner• Dubai Marathon winner

Ketema had an exceptional year, claiming victories at both the 2024 Dubai Marathon and the 50th Berlin Marathon. In Dubai, she set a record for the fastest debut marathon by a woman with a time of 2:16:07, establishing herself as a standout among elite runners. Continuing her stellar performance in Berlin, Ketema crossed the finish line in 2:16:42, the third-fastest time in the event’s long history. Leading the women’s field from early on, she finished well ahead of her competition in Berlin.

Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Kenya

• World 5km and 10km records• World half marathon lead

Ngetich’s 2024 season has been outstanding across multiple distances. She set new world records in both the 5km (14:25) and 10km (29:24) road races, demonstrating impressive speed and endurance over varied distances. Additionally, she topped the global rankings in the half marathon this year, underscoring her versatility and dominance in road racing worldwide.

The nominees for 2024 Mens’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year are:

Yomif Kejelcha, Ethiopia• World half marathon record• World 10km lead

Yomif Kejelcha has captured attention in 2024 with an extraordinary season on the road. He set a new world record in the half marathon in Valencia, clocking an impressive 57:30, and continued to demonstrate his strength over longer distances. Known for his range, Kejelcha also recorded outstanding times in the 5km and 10km, including a remarkable 10km finish of 26:37 earlier this year in Laredo, Spain. These performances add to his accomplished career, which includes two World Indoor Championship titles and a Diamond League title, affirming his status among the elite in both track and road racing.

Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda• World Cross Country Championships gold• Valencia 10km winner

Ugandan distance star Jacob Kiplimo has consistently showcased his prowess in cross-country and road events. In 2024, he secured gold at the World Cross Country Championship, excelling against a formidable field and challenging conditions. His impressive season also included a victory in the 10km in Valencia, further adding to his accolades. Kiplimo’s performances in recent years have established him as one of the world’s leading long-distance runners, highlighted by his Olympic bronze medal and his world record in the half marathon, set in 2021.

Benson Kipruto, Kenya• Tokyo Marathon winner• Olympic marathon bronze

Ugandan distance star Jacob Kiplimo has continually demonstrated his skill in cross-country and road races. In 2024, he captured gold at the World Cross Country Championship, excelling in a competitive field and tough conditions. His remarkable season also featured a win in the 10km in Valencia, further enhancing his achievements. Kiplimo’s recent performances have solidified his position as one of the top long-distance runners in the world, marked by his Olympic bronze medal and his world record in the half marathon, established in 2021.

Brian Daniel Pintado, Ecuador• Olympic 20km race walk champion• Olympic marathon race walk mixed relay silver

Brian Pintado’s career soared to new heights in 2024 with his historic Olympic gold medal in the 20km race walk, bringing Ecuador into the spotlight. He further enhanced his accomplishments by helping Ecuador secure silver in the mixed relay marathon race walk. Pintado’s achievements this season have established him as a leading figure in the race-walking community, making him the only race walker among the nominees.

Tamirat Tola, Ethiopia• Olympic marathon champion• Olympic record

Tamirat Tola capped off his 2024 season with an Olympic marathon victory, during which he set a new Olympic record, solidifying his status as an elite long-distance runner. He has consistently ranked among the world’s best, having previously claimed the World Championships title in 2022 and achieving top times in various marathon circuits.

Who do you think deserves top honors—the Olympic champion or the new women's world record holder?

Two of the world’s most dominant marathoners, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and newly-minted world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, are among the nominees for the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year (Out of Stadium) award.

Hassan’s distance running triple at the Paris Olympic Games made her a guaranteed candidate, where she won two bronze medals on the track (5,000m/10,000m) and capped off her historic run with a gold medal in the women’s marathon, setting a new Olympic record. Chepngetich made history of her own, becoming the first woman to break 2:10 in the marathon with her stunning 2:09:56 performance at the 2024 Chicago Marathon earlier this month.

The other nominees for the women’s out-of-stadium award include Kenyan distance star Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who set world records in the 5K and 10K on the roads, and who ran the second-fastest half-marathon in history at the Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday (63:04, a Kenyan national record); Ethiopian Sutume Kebede, the Tokyo Marathon champion, and second-place in Chicago; and Tigist Ketema of Ethiopia, who took wins at the 2024 Berlin Marathon and in Dubai.

Men’s nominees

On the men’s side, the nominees feature a similarly competitive field. Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, who set a new Games record on the tough Paris course, and his compatriot Yomif Kejelcha, who just broke the men’s world record in the half-marathon by one second at the 2024 Valencia Half. Other nominees for the award include Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, the Tokyo Marathon champion and Olympic bronze medalist; Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, the world cross-country champion; and Ecuador’s Brian Daniel Pintado, who won Olympic gold in the men’s 20km race walk.

A World Athletics panel compiled the list of nominees. The two finalists for each award will be determined through a three-way voting process that runs until Nov. 3. The World Athletics Council vote accounts for 50 per cent of the decision, while the World Athletics Family (including athletes, coaches and officials) vote accounts for 25 per cent, and the remaining 25 per cent comes from a public vote on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Fans can cast their votes by liking posts on Facebook and Instagram or by retweeting on X.

In 2023, the out-of-stadium award went to Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum on the men’s side, following his remarkable 2:00:35 performance at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Ethiopian marathoner Tigist Assefa won the women’s award with her marathon record-breaking run in Berlin.

World Athletics revamped the awards system for 2024, introducing overall World Athlete of the Year titles for both women and men, alongside three specialized awards for track events, field events, and out-of-stadium events. This new approach allows for a more recognition of the diverse athletic accomplishments throughout the year.

Ruth Chepngetich heads to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on the hunt for a hat trick, while Birhanu Legese is the fastest in the men’s field for the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday (13).

The women’s race features a clash between Chepngetich, her Kenyan compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei and Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede – three sub-2:17 runners who form part of a field that includes another six women to have dipped under 2:20.

Chepngetich, the 2019 world marathon champion, won in Chicago in 2021 and 2022, and followed that with a runner-up finish to Sifan Hassan last year. She clocked 2:14:18 on that occasion, while her PB of 2:14:18 set in Chicago in 2022 makes her the fourth fastest women’s marathon runner in history.

She ran 2:24:36 for her most recent marathon, in London in April, and placed ninth, but then clocked 1:05:58 to win the 21k Buenos Aires half marathon in August.

Jepkosgei, who won the London Marathon in 2021 and New York City Marathon in 2019, finished fourth in Chicago last year in 2:17:23. 

She improved by one place when returning to marathon action in London in April, setting a PB of 2:16:24.

It’s Kebede who leads this season’s top list, thanks to the PB of 2:15:55 she set to win the Tokyo Marathon in March. That puts her at No.8 all time and she will be hoping to make the most of the fast course in Chicago.

“After seeing what my teammate Kelvin Kiptum did last year, I want to come to Chicago to do something great,” said Kebede, who finished 15th in last year’s race.

Kiptum, who was part of Kebede’s training group, died in a road traffic accident in February, just four months after he set his world marathon record of 2:00:35 in Chicago. This year, the event will honour Kiptum’s legacy with a moment of silence at the start line.

Joining Chepngetich, Jepkosgei and Kebede on that start line will be three more women with PBs under 2:18 – Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw, Ashete Bekere and Hiwot Gebrekidan – plus Kenya’s Irine Cheptai, who ran 2:18:22 in Hamburg in April.

The field also features the second and third fastest ever US women’s marathon runners, Keira D’Amato and Betsy Saina, who have also dipped under 2:20. They are joined in this competitive field by their compatriots Sara Hall and Emma Bates.

Ethiopia’s Legese leads the men’s field with the PB of 2:02:48 he ran in Berlin in 2019. That performance puts him sixth on the men’s world marathon all-time list but since then his highest marathon finish has been a third place, achieved in Rotterdam with a 2:05:16 run in April.

The two-time Tokyo Marathon champion will want to return to winning ways when he heads back to Chicago, where he placed 10th when making his World Marathon Majors debut in 2018, but he faces tough opposition.

Six other men in the field have PBs faster than 2:06, including Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, Vincent Ngetich and John Korir, and Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde, Amedework Walelegn and Mohamed Esa.

Kipruto, the 2019 world bronze medallist, and Ngetich have matching PBs of 2:03:13. Kipruto won the London Marathon in 2022 and trains with Benson Kipruto, who won that year’s Chicago Marathon, while Ngetich was second in the Berlin Marathon last year, five places ahead of Kipruto. He was also third at this year’s Tokyo Marathon.

Korir ran his PB of 2:05:01 when finishing third in Chicago in 2022, while Wolde ran 2:03:48 in Valencia last year, Esa has a best of 2:05:05 from Amsterdam in 2022 and Walelegn clocked 2:04:50 in Rotterdam in April, finishing runner-up – one place ahead of Legese.

Looking to join them at the front of the field will be Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, the world 10,000m and half marathon silver medallist who makes his marathon debut. The 29-year-old ran a 59:30 half marathon in Berlin in April, 26 seconds off his PB set in Manama in 2022.

Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer Mekonnen, who finished fourth in the half marathon at last year’s World Road Running Championships behind runner-up Ebenyo, is back in marathon action after his win in Seoul in March.

Among the athletes racing on home soil are USA’s Zach Panning, CJ Albertson and Brian Shrader.

Elite fields

WomenRuth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:14:18Sutume Kebede (ETH) 2:15:55Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:16:24Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:17:58Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:17:58Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) 2:17:59Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:18:22Keira D'Amato (USA) 2:19:12Betsy Saina (USA) 2:19:17Sara Hall (USA) 2:20:32Emma Bates (USA) 2:22:10Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:23:11Sara Vaughn (USA) 2:23:24Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:24:27Gabi Rooker (USA) 2:24:35Lindsay Flanagan (USA) 2:24:43Stacey Ndiwa (KEN) 2:25:29  Lauren Hagans (USA) 2:25:56Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:26:18Jackie Gaughan (USA) 2:27:08Dominique Scott (RSA) 2:27:31Diane Nukuri (USA) 2:27:50Makena Morley (USA) 2:30:25Anne Marie Blaney (USA) 2:30:43Amy Davis-Green (USA) 2:33:09Aubrey Frentheway (USA) debut

MenBirhanu Legese (ETH) 2:02:48Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13Vincent Ngetich (KEN) 2:03:13Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:03:48Amedework Walelegn (ETH) 2:04:50John Korir (KEN) 2:05:01Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:05:05Jemal Yimer (ETH) 2:06:08Kyohei Hosoya (JPN) 2:06:35Toshiki Sadakata (JPN) 2:07:05Tatsuya Maruyama (JPN) 2:07:50Yuichi Yasui (JPN) 2:08:48Jorge Castelblanco (PAN) 2:09:24Zach Panning (USA) 2:09:28Brian Shrader (USA) 2:09:46CJ Albertson (USA) 2:09:53Tomoki Yoshioka (JPN) 2:10:03Reed Fischer (USA) 2:10:34Nathan Martin (USA) 2:10:45Colin Mickow (USA) 2:11:22Kevin Salvano (USA) 2:11:26Jacob Thomson (USA) 2:11:40Turner Wiley (USA) 2:11:59Shadrack Kipchirchir (USA) 2:13:02JP Flavin (USA) 2:13:27Charlie Sweeney (USA) 2:13:41Ben Kendell (USA) 2:15:49Phil Parrot-Migas (CAN) 2:15:53Aaron Gruen (USA) 2:15:56Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) debutPeter Lynch (IRL) debutAlex Maier (USA) debutAlex Masai (USA) debut

Two-time Hamburg Marathon champion Bernard Koech returns to the Netherlands on October 20 hoping to win the Amsterdam Marathon title on his third attempt.

In 2021, Koech finished second in a personal best of 2:04:09 behind Ethiopia’s Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola (2:03:39) and ahead of Leul Gebresilase (2:04:12).

On his debut in 2013, he was third in 2:06:29 behind Wilson Chebet (2:05:35) and Ethiopia’s Birhanu Girma (2:06:04). 

In April, he defended his Hamburg Marathon title in 2:04:24, 15 seconds slower than in 2023.

The 31-year-old’s impressive resume features runners-up finishes from the 2014 Rotterdam Marathon (2:06:08) and the 2012 Lille Half Marathon (59:10).

He finished second at the 2023 Copenhagen Half Marathon clocking 59:13 behind Edward Cheserek (59:11).

He placed fourth at the 2022 Chicago Marathon (2:07:15) in a race won by Olympic bronze medalist Benson Kipruto (2:04:24) with Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura (2:04:49) and John Korir (2:05:01) completing the podium.

Koech placed fourth at the 2014 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 59:46.

He recorded a Did Not Finish at the 2013 World Championships.

Koech's main competition will come from the Ethiopians led by the 2023 Frankfurt Marathon third-place finisher Guye Adola.

Adola boasts a personal best of 2:03:46 set during the 2017 Berlin Marathon when he placed second behind two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge (2:03:32).

The Ethiopian holds victories from the 2021 Berlin marathon (2:05:45), the 2014 New Delhi Half Marathon (59:06) and the 2017 Ostia Half Marathon (59:18).

He will be joined by Tsegaye Getachew, who claimed the Amsterdam title in 2022 in 2:04:49.

The 2024 Hamburg Marathon runner-up Winfridah Moraa and 2014 World Half Marathon bronze medalist Selly Chepyego lead the Kenyan charge in the women's race.

Moraa has a personal best of 2:18:25 from Hamburg and has notable wins from the 2022 Madrid (1:07:22) and Arezzo (1:07:58) half marathons.

Chepyego, with a PB of 2:20:03 from her second-place finish at last year’s Barcelona Marathon, is no stranger to the podium.

She claimed gold at the 2001 World Youth Championships in the 3,000m (9:09.95) and bronze at the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships (1:07:52).

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked exactly two decades since double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge made his Olympic debut.

The legendary marathoner first ran in the Athens Olympics in 2004, where he won the 5,000m bronze medal before upgrading to silver four years later in Beijing in the same event.

By 2008, Kipchoge was already an established name in distance running, boasting two world championship medals and two at the Olympics.

This year, the legendary marathoner led team Kenya to the Olympics together with a strong contingent that included 2024 TCS London Marathon champion Alex Mutiso and 2022 Chicago Marathon winner Benson Kipruto.

A painful exit for the marathon legend

Kipchoge, shy about his 40th birthday, was headed for another highlight in his celebrated marathon career.

He was aiming to get back to winning ways, or at least reach the Olympic podium for a fourth time in his fifth Olympic Games.

The running guru stayed at a touching distance of the leading pack up to the 15km mark. Then he began holding his waist, early worrying signs that all was not well for the defending Olympic champion.

The pain intensified, forcing him to decide to end his race about 12 km away from the finish point at Les Invalides.

That saw him record a Did Not Finish (DNF) for the first time in his illustrious career. Before the Olympics, Kipchoge’s worst marathon result was 10th place at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon.

It was a classy exit for the marathoner who set a world record in the 5,000m of the World Cross Country Championships junior race in 2003 and won gold. That would be the scene of the marathon’s great last Olympic parade.

Lessons from Paris

Reflecting on the recent Paris Olympics, Kipchoge outlined the key lessons learned, urging sports leaders in the country to take stock of past experiences and ensure they inform future strategies.

“One thing I learned and observed during the Olympics is that peace and education play a great role in our generation. The combination of the two is magical. Now we are done with Paris. Los Angeles is up next. Can we apply the lessons learned as we head to the next Olympics?” he posed to SportsBoom.com.

A call for change in sports culture

Kipchoge also expressed concern over how Kenyan athletes are often treated, drawing a parallel to weddings where people focus on celebrating the event rather than the bride and groom.

He pointed out that in sports, much like in weddings, the spotlight is frequently on the events themselves, while the athletes, who are the real protagonists, do not receive the recognition and support they deserve.

“That is how we operate. We celebrate the events and not our athletes, which should not be the case,” he offered.

The marathon star also challenged the traditional approach of simply rewarding athletes with trophies, urging for a more profound investment in their mental and emotional well-being. He added that equipping athletes with practical skills can sustain them beyond their sporting careers.

“It is the work of federations and the Ministry of Sports to make sure athletes are comfortable. Athletes should be taught literacy, and handling pressure in emotional and physical states. Do not just award them trophies. Work on their minds as well. Can we teach our athletes basic skills like using social media channels to earn money?” he posed.

A farmer’s patience: Advice to sports federations

Kipchoge also urged sports federations and the ministry to invest in athletes with the same patience and care that a farmer applies when planting a seed, waiting for it to germinate and eventually yield a good harvest.

“To our federation leaders, let us hold sports in the heart and mind. Train our athletes, invest in them and eventually wait for the results. What athletes do behind the scenes is commendable. They are the people who build the game by their hands,” he averred.

He concluded by calling on sports federations and sponsors to go beyond simply funding events and trophies, stressing the importance of investing in the well-being of athletes. “To our sponsors, I challenge you to include humanity in your budget. Finance these athletes for the good work they are doing,” he said. Despite the unexpected turn in his last Olympic hurrah, the two-time world record holder has no intentions to call time on his career, not just yet.

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet will gauge his readiness for November’s New York Marathon at Sunday (September 8) when he lines up at the Great North Run, England.

The Great North Run is the largest half marathon in the world, and it is staged in North East England.

Chebet revealed he is looking to test his body as he aims for positive results ahead of the New York Marathon.

 “I want to test my body in England and see how it responds. This race will be part of my preparations for the New York Marathon. I am confident of positive results in both races,” Chebet revealed.

Chebet sustained a tendon rapture during the Boston Marathon in April, dashing his hopes of a historic hat-trick.

Despite the injury, he managed to secure a third-place finish with a time of 2:07:22, trailing Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma (2:06:17) and Mohamed Esa (2:06:58).

Before that, he had picked up last year’s title with a time of 2:05:54,  beating Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay (2:06:04) and Olympic bronze medalist Benson Kipruto (2:06:06).

He also led an all-Kenyan podium sweep during the 2022 edition—cutting the tape in 2:06:51 to lead Lawrence Cherono (2:07:21) and Kipruto (2:07:27) to the podium.

Now fully fit, the 35-year-old is determined to reclaim his winning form.

“My body feels great. I’m ready for the Great North Run and I am looking forward to positive results. I am also well prepared to win a second title in New York,” Chebet noted.

Chebet won the 2022 New York Marathon in 2:08:41 ahead of Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata (2:08:54) and the Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye (2:10:31).

Chebet’s resume also includes victories from the 2020 Valencia Marathon (2:03:00), the 2019 Buenos Aires Marathon (2:05:00) and the 2020 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon (2:07:29).

He placed third at the 2016 Berlin Marathon (2:05:31) and second at the 2016 Seoul Marathon (2:05:33) and 2019 Generali Milano Marathon (2:07:22).

Chebet is set to renew his rivalry with Lemma as he looks to assert revenge on the Ethiopian after he beat him to the Boston title.

The 2021 Valencia Half Marathon champion Abel Kipchumba will join Chebet on the start line as they look to secure a Kenyan 1-2 finish.

Other key competitors include Marc Scott, who will be representing the host nation. Scott clinched the 2021 title in 1:01:22, beating Edward Cheserek (1:01:31) and USA’s Galen Rupp (1:01:51).

In the women’s race, Rio 2016 Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot leads a strong Kenyan contingent, including 2022 Commonwealth 10,000m bronze medalist Sheila Chepkirui and 2014 World Half Marathon silver medalist Mary Ngugi.

Their competition will come from 2015 World 5,000m silver medalist Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia and Britain’s record holder in the 10km Road race Eilish McColgan.

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet is unfazed by the presence of Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola in his quest to recapture the New York Marathon title on November 3.

Tola secured the Olympic marathon crown with a record time of 2:06:26,  beating Belgium’s Bashir Abdi (2:06:47) and Benson Kipruto (2:07:00).

The Ethiopian is the reigning New York Marathon champion after setting a course record time of 2:04:58 during last year’s edition, edging out Albert Korir (2:06:57) and Shura Kitata (2:07:11).

However, Chebet is confident Tola will not pose a threat to him in New York. “Tola won’t be a threat to my New York ambitions. I’ve raced this course before and I know the strategies I need to secure another win,” Chebet said.

Chebet secured the New York title in 2022 after cutting the tape in 2:08:41 ahead of Kitata (2:08:54) and Netherlands Abdi Nageeye (2:10:31).

The 35-year-old also reckons Tola will not have sufficient recovery time which is instrumental ahead of the race.

“Tola just raced in Paris and with two months until New York, I don’t think he will have sufficient recovery time which is crucial,” Chebet explained.

After battling a ruptured tendon that cost him his Boston title earlier this year, Chebet assures that he’s back to full fitness.

“I have now fully recovered. My body is feeling fine and I am ready for the task ahead,” he noted.

Chebet walked into the April Boston Marathon as the reigning champion but failed to defend his crown after finishing third in 2:07:22— trailing the Ethiopian duo of Sisay Lemma (2:06:17) and Mohamed Esa (2:06:58).

To ensure he is in top form, Chebet revealed that his training consists of 32km runs daily. “I do 32km daily runs—20km in the morning and 12km in the evening,” he noted.

Joining Chebet on the New York startline will be Korir, two-time champion Geoffrey Kamworor and 2021 Valencia Half Marathon winner Abel Kipchumba.

Chebet believes the trio has the potential to deliver a Kenyan podium sweep. “Kamworor, Korir, and Kipchumba are strong competitors. We’re capable of a clean sweep through teamwork,” Chebet noted.

The men’s elite race will also see Olympic silver medallist Bashir Abdi and a strong American contingent, including Conner Mantz, Clayton Young and Noah Droddy, vying for top honours.

On the women’s side, Olympic marathon bronze medallist Hellen Obiri will defend her New York crown, leading a formidable Kenyan lineup that includes 2016 Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, two-time Boston Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, and 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi.

Obiri secured the title last year with a time of 2:27:23, beating Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia (2:27:29) and Sharon Lokedi (2:27:33). Their stiffest competition will likely come from Ethiopia’s three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba.

Olympic marathon gold medalist Tamirat Tola honored by Ethiopia after record-breaking victory at Paris Olympics

Olympic marathon gold medalist Tamirat Tola has been promoted by the Oromia Police Commission following his record-breaking performance at the Paris Olympics.

Tola, who set a new Olympic record with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds, has been elevated to a higher rank reflective of his monumental achievement.

Tola’s race into the annals of Olympic history was solidified when he outpaced Belgium's Bashir Abdi by 21 seconds and Kenya's Benson Kipruto by 34 seconds.

The Oromia Police Commission recognized his stellar performance with a promotion, placing him among the higher echelons of its ranks.

The specifics of his new position, akin to an Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, underscore his significance both as an athlete and a symbol of national pride.

The celebration of Tola’s victory was marked by a grand parade, where he was honored with a ride on a military vehicle while the Oromia Police band played tunes commemorating his success.

Reflecting on his unexpected opportunity at the Olympics, Tola stated.

“I was the reserve in the Ethiopian team, but when Sisay had injuries then I had a chance. I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfill my dream. I am very proud, very happy," he said.

This victory was particularly poignant as it marked his second Olympic medal, his first being in the 10,000 meters at the 2016 Rio Games.

Tola’s transition from track to marathon has been nothing short of spectacular.

“After I came from track I achieved a lot in marathon,” said Tola, who also broke a 12-year course record at last year's New York marathon.

His main rival, Bashir Abdi, also had a noteworthy performance, securing his second Olympic medal.

The marathon course itself, beginning from Hôtel de Ville and weaving through Parisian landmarks like Opéra Garnier and the Louvre, presented its own challenges with inclines as steep as 13%.

However, Tola dominated the course, pulling away decisively after 35 kilometers.

The event concluded near the gold-domed Invalides monument, a fitting backdrop for a race that was as much about historical achievements as it was about athletic prowess.

Tola’s victory not only etched his name in Olympic history but also earned him high honors from the police commission, celebrating his dual role as an athlete and a public servant.

The curtains for the 2024 Paris Olympics fell on Sunday night with Kenya ranking 17th in the world after winning 11 medals.

Despite Kenya topping the African continent with 4 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals, the results left a lot to be desired.

From 83 athletes competing in seven disciplines, a significant impact was expected from the Kenyan athletes and the world.

The show started with Judoka Zeddy Cherop falling 10-0 to Portugal’s Patricia Sampao in a record 22 seconds while Fencing African champion Alexandra Ndolo crushed out 13-12 to Ukranian Olena Kryvytska in her debut.

Maria Brunlehner and Ridhwan Mohamed finished 3rd and 4th in the women’s 50m freestyle and Men’s 400m freestyle heats respectively to crush out of contention for a swimming medal.

The sevens rugby team also crushed out in the group stage, after going down to Australia, Argentina and Samoa.

The women’s volleyball team booked their next flight after failing to win a single set following three identical 3-0 losses in a tough group B pool comprising Brazil, Poland and Japan.

Paris, the City of Love, had very little affection for Kenya as former world champion Julius Yego, finished a distant 5th in the javelin final with a 87.72m throw, to also bite the dust.

Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala's 100m Olympic medal dream was shattered in the semi-finals after clocking 10.08 seconds to finish 8th.

However, Kenya redeemed herself with debutant Beatrice Chebet grabbing double gold in the 5000m and 10000m women’s races.

The best performer was followed closely by Faith Kipyegon who defended her 1500m gold and added the 5000m women’s silver.

Another debutant, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, grabbed the 800m gold, while Ronald Kwemoi struck the men’s 5000m silver.

Mary Moraa, the dancing queen, grabbed the 800m bronze, same as Faith Cherotich (3000m steeplechase) and Abraham Kibiwot (3000m steeplechase).

Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto rounded up the bronze tally in the men's and women's marathons.  

Obiri failed in her quest for an Olympic medal having won silver in the women's 5000m in Tokyo, 2020 and Rio 2016 games.

History Making

Kenya will however keep pride in making history after Faith Kipyegon became the first woman to complete an Olympic hat trick after breaking her 1500m record in 3:51.29, before a fully packed iconic Stade de France. 

Debutant Beatrice Chebet was the best performer entering the history books by winning a double gold in the women's 5000m and 10000m.

The feat makes Chebet the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic 10000m gold for Kenya since the race was introduced in the 1988 Olympics.

She is the third woman after Tirunesh Dibaba and Sifan Hassan to win the 5000m and 10000m double at the Olympic Games.

"I'm dedicating this medal to all Kenyans. I just want to hear my country is proud. This was for you, you were in my mind and heart in every lap; I might have made history but I will sleep better knowing Wananchi wataenjoy the weekend," she said.

Kenya’s legend Eliud Kipchoge failed to complete an Olympic marathon treble after dropping out of the race at the 20km mark.

Kipchoge later confirmed he won’t be running in the Los Angeles 2028 summer games.

“I felt a sharp pain in the stomach and I couldn’t continue. I'm disappointed that for the first time in my career, I failed to finish a race .” Kipchoge said.

Lady luck also smiled on Kenya after Kipyegon's 5000m silver medal was reinstated following an appeal, after a push and shove with Ethiopian nemesis, Gudaf Tsegay, had her initially disqualified.

In the 800m final, Canada appealed against Kenyan winner Emmanuel Wanyonyi's personal best of 1:41.91 in the 800m, claiming he obstructed silver medallist Marco Arop. Kenya won the appeal.

Tokyo 2020

Despite the dismal show in Paris, Kenya had bettered the 2020 Tokyo tally of 10 medals and a 19th spot finish.

The post-Covid games had challenges but Kenya grabbed four gold, four silvers and two bronze medals.

Emmanuel Korir (800m), Faith Kipyegon (1500m), Peres Jepchirhir (marathon), and Eliud Kipchoge (marathon) were the gold medalists while Hellen Obiri (5000m), Fergussin Rotich (800m), Brigid Kosgei (marathon) and Timothy Cheruiyot (1500m) won silver.

Benjamin Kigen and Hyvin Kiyeng won the men's and women's 3000m steeplechase races respectively.

Rio 2016 

In the 2016 Rio De Janeiro games, Kenya managed six gold, six silver and one bronze medal for a tally of 13 medals. 

Rio 2016 Olympics gold medalists were Jemima Sumgong in women's marathon, David Rudisha in 800m, Faith Kipyegon in 1500m, Conseslus Kipruto in 3000m steeplechase, Vivian Ceruiyot in 5000m and Eliud Kipchoge marathon.

Meanwhile, Vivian Cheruiyot (10000m); Paul Tanui (10000m); Hyvin Kiyeng (3000m steeplechase); Boniface Mucheru (400m hurdles); and Hellen Obiri (5000m) all grabbed silver, while Julius Yego managed a rare javelin silver. Margaret Wambui won bronze in women's 800m.

London 2012  

The London 2012 Summer Games saw Kenya manage 2 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze for a total of 13 medals.

Despite a cold and warm performance in the Queens land, Kenya won two gold medals to finish a distant 29th in the world rankings.

Legendary track masters Ezekiel Kemboi and David Rudisha grabbed gold in the men's 3000m and 800m races respectively.

Sally Kipyegon brought home the women's 10000m silver, while Priscah Jeptoo won the women's marathon silver medal as Vivian Cheruiyot grabbed the women's 5000m race.

Abel Kirui rounded up the silver medals haul after clinching the men’s marathon race.

Vivian Cheruiyot won bronze in the 10000m women's race, while Asbel Kiprop and Milcah Chemos clinched bronze in the men's and women’s 3000m steeplechase.

Timothy Kiptum and Pamela Jelimo clinched the men's and women's 800m race respectively while Thomas Longosiwa and Wilson Kipsang rounded off Kenya's bronze medals haul, winning the 5000m men's and women's marathon races.

What next?

As the nation awaits the Paris 2024 Games report on what worked and what didn't work, a lot will be looked into including preparations, sports science, lack of stadia and lack of funds among others.

However, one constant reminder is that Kenya must smell the coffee, lest our legacy is discarded by the improving rival nations every day.

The next Omanyala, Yego, Obiri and Kipchoge should be nurtured immediately if we are to remain world beaters in the summer games.

Beating the 2008 Beijing Summer Games remains the target, where Kenya sent a total of 46 athletes: 28 men and 18 women who brought home the best tally of six gold, four silver and six bronze medals.

The journey to the Los Angeles 2028 games starts with a new sheriff in town, CS Kipchumba Murkomen, at the helm of the Sports ministry.

Eliud Kipchoge has hinted at ending his illustrious marathon career following a major setback at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.

Eliud Kipchoge hit the streets of Paris in the men’s marathon hoping to win his third Olympic title on Saturday morning.

However, the script did not go as planned as Kipchoge failed to finish the race. He was off to a great start but conditions worsened and he started trailing.

At some point in the race, the two-time Olympic champion was seen holding his left hip as though in pain but he kept going. It was until the 31km mark that Kipchoge could not continue with the race.

The five-time Berlin Marathon champion stood and waited for the last athlete Ser-Od Bat-Ochir to pass before he officially pulled out of the race.

Following the setback, the four-time London Marathon champion told Olympics.com that the race was his worst marathon. Kipchoge had never recorded a DNF [Did not finish] until Saturday's race.

"This is my worst marathon. I have never done a DNF (did not finish). That’s life. Like a boxer, I have been knocked down, I have won, I have come second, eighth, 10th, fifth – now I did not finish. That’s life,” he said.

Kipchoge started his season on quite a low note, finishing 10th at the Tokyo Marathon won by Benson Kipruto. He hinted at not being mentally okay following threats to his life and that of his family after Kelvin Kiptum’s death.

At the Paris Olympics, Kipchoge was aiming to become the first marathoner to win three Olympic gold medals. He started his winning streak at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games before defending his title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The marathon legend then hinted at calling time on his illustrious career.

“It is a difficult time for me. You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run," he said.

"I don't know what next. I need to go back [home], sit down, try to figure my 21 years of running at high level. I need to evolve and feature in other things.”

Tamirat Tola, called into the Ethiopian team as a late replacement, won the men’s marathon title in an Olympic record of 2:06:26 in brutal heat and humidity over a course of hugely demanding hills, with Belgium’s Bashir Abdi earning silver in 2:06:47.

Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, fastest in the world this year after winning the Tokyo marathon in 2:02:16, marked his Olympic debut with bronze in 2:07:00 on a day when his 39-year-old compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, seeking a third consecutive title, failed to finish.

Britain’s Emile Cairess, making his Olympic debut, finished in fourth place, clocking 2:07:29 after moving past Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta in the finishing stages, with the latter recording 2:07:31 and finishing a second ahead of Japan’s Akira Akasaki, who set a personal best.

In the circumstances it was scarcely creditable that Tola bettered the Olympic mark of 2:06:32 set at the Beijing 2008 Games by the late Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru.

Huge crowds lined the route in the closing stages, and the spectacle concluded amid packed grandstands in front of Les Invalides, its gilded dome glinting in the morning sunshine.

On a day like this, on a course like this, there was something fitting about the race concluding alongside the building constructed in the 17th century as a haven for disabled soldiers. Everyone completing the course today was a warrior.

Tola, the 2022 world champion, thus joins the fabled list of fellow Ethiopians who have won this prized race – Abebe Bikila in 1960 and 1964, Mamo Wolde in 1968 and Gezahegne Abera in 2000 – and added gold to the Olympic 10,000m bronze he won in 2016.

For an Ethiopian team that has not enjoyed its customary success on the track, this was a day of days – and they will have hopes of further success when the athletics programme concludes with the women’s marathon tomorrow.

“I am happy today because I fulfilled my goal,” said Tola, Ethiopia’s first gold medallist of these Games. “I prepared well. I trained hard so I could win. In my life, this is my great achievement.

“I was the reserve in the Ethiopian team, but when Sisay (Lemma) had injuries, then I had a chance to represent him. I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfil my dream. I am happy to do that today.

“This is the Olympics and it is not easy to win the Olympic Games, not at all. I am very proud, very happy.”

Abdi, who has recently recovered from a stress fracture of the hip, commented: "The course was very tough today. I tried not to lose a lot of energy. I tried to run as smartly as possible, so I am very, very happy with this result.

"The weather was hot, (the terrain featured) a lot of ups and downs. Actually, I expected going uphill would be most challenging, but I found going downhill most difficult.

“It was very steep and you don’t have control of your body. That was very scary, especially after 29km, we had almost 2km of running downhill and it was just going more down and down, and I was really afraid of falling.

"This is the hardest marathon course I’ve ever run."

Asked about his return from injury, he added: "It was really a long journey. At the beginning of the year I got a stress fracture, which meant I couldn’t run any races. I came here without any preparation and didn’t know what to expect.

"I told myself before I started, 'OK, you don’t have any race rhythm, but you are fresh, it is your first race of the season, you will be the only guy who is fresh’. That’s what I was repeating to myself during the race."

Kipruto commented: “The course was tough but I’m happy with the result I posted. I trained with the mind first before going to the legs and the heart. Running uphill and downhill was not easy.

“This was the hardest marathon I have run, and a different experience because it was my first Olympic Games."

"I saw Tola pushing but I said, 'no, it’s too early', so I tried to close the gap slowly."

Always in touch with the lead, Tola first took control of the race just after the 20km mark as the field came to the brow of the first long climb, overtaking Italy’s Eyob Faniel, who had pushed ahead by 23 seconds at the 15km mark before the start of the grinding uphill stretch.

The pack, led by Akasaki, Geleta and South Africa’s Elroy Gelant, caught up with him by the 25km mark, which was passed in 1:16:08, but Tola made his decisive move in the hardest part of the course – a brutal, extended climb from 27.5km to 29km involving a 16 per cent incline.

The pack soon became a straggling line as each runner worked out the best way of coping with a challenge so severe that some coaches here had been wondering whether it might be best for their charges to walk this stretch.

Once he got to the brow of the hill, he made the most of it, accelerating away from his labouring rivals and establishing an 11-second lead as he went through 30km in 1:32:12.

Such were the ups and downs of the route that it almost resembled a roller-coaster – but one which guaranteed no one involved had any fun at the fair.

The crucial question at this point was: could Tola, alone, resist the pack that was gradually re-gathering behind him? The answer became gradually and gloriously clear. Tola was never headed thereafter.

At 35km his lead was 18 seconds, at 40km it was 22 seconds. No one was going to stop him.

It was a tribute to Tola’s dedication that he should have been so patently ready to take on this monster of a marathon course at such short notice following the injury to Lemma, who won this year’s Boston Marathon in 2:06:17, having moved to fourth on the world all-time list with his 2:01:48 victory in Valencia last year.

They were huge super-shoes to fill – but Tola did so magnificently.

For Kipchoge it was clear well before the halfway point that he was not going to be challenging for a third consecutive title as he began dropping back, his hand going to his left hip as his face registered discomfort and pain. He dropped out shortly after falling back to 71st position at 30km.

Meanwhile his long-time rival Kenenisa Bekele, returning aged 42 to the Olympic arena where he won three golds and a silver on the track, finished 39th in 2:12:24.

"Around 15km my hamstring felt stretched, so I could not do any more after that,” Bekele said. “Even after 10km I was feeling the strain, so I knew I could not catch up with the leaders."

"It is fantastic that Ethiopia won the race. Tola is very strong, and I am happy for him."

"People have been talking about me and Kipchoge, but you see it was the young generation today. These guys are stronger than us.”

The Ethiopian Tamirat Tols has dominated the streets of Paris this morning, with the Hotel des Invalides glinting in the background he crosses the line in an Olympic record time of 2:06.26 and takes in the adulation with his nation’s flag draped over his slight shoulders. What a run!

Belgium's Bashir Abdi took silver and Kenya's Benson Kipruto took bronze.

The marathon course began outside Paris' city hall, Hotel de Ville, and passed along sights such as Palais Garnier opera house, Place Vendome, the Louvre museum, the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. It ended with a scenic home straight in the shadow of the 17th-century hospital Esplanade des Invalides.

The race took on the air of the Tour de France at times, with multiple steep climbs amid a notably hilly course that was billed as one of the most difficult in Olympic history. The first climb took place around the 10-mile mark. A second hill a couple of miles later also had an impact, but it was the hill at the 18-mile mark that proved hardest, with a 13.5% incline at one point.

One of the notable runners who struggled was Kipchoge. He is one of the best marathon runners of all time, but he endured a tough race that even saw him almost a full minute behind the leaders at the halfway stage and reduced to walking up the hill at Mile 18.

He bowed out of the race soon after.

It comes after one of the most difficult years of Kipchoge's career after he suffered significant online abuse following the death of his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum. Kipchoge suffered sleepless nights for some time after, resulting in him finishing in 10th at the Tokyo marathon in March -- his worst-ever result as a professional.

The course did not phase Tola, though. He delivered a dominant display that saw him pull clear before the halfway mark and never let up.

Tola only previous Olympic medal was a bronze in the men's 10,000 metres at Rio 2016. It is also his second major marathon victory after winning last year's New York City marathon.

Getting to run by all those historic spots requires some epic climbs and descents.The final weekend of the 2024 Paris Olympics will host back-to-back days of thrilling marathons. These prestigious races, set against the backdrop of two of France’s most iconic landscapes—Paris and Versailles—will weave through a tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. They begin on August 10 with the men’s race, and then, in a nod to the 40th anniversary of the first women’s Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles, the Paris Olympics will conclude on August 11 with the women’s race for the first time in history.

Here are some of the key details you’ll want to know:

What sites will the runners pass?

It’s not a bad way to tour the area, and it’s quite different than the Paris Marathon that is held each April. Athletes will find themselves tracing a route that dances through nine arrondissements (neighborhoods) of Paris along the banks of the Seine. The runners will begin at the Hôtel de Ville, or city hall, and then pass landmarks such as the Palais Garnier opera house, Place Vendôme, the Louvre museum, and past the Trocadéro. 

Next, they will leave the city to run through historic French towns, including Sevres, on their way to Versailles. The return to the city is a different route and will take them through the Forêt Domaniale de Meudon, a forest. When back in the city, they will be on the Left Bank and run past the Eiffel Tower as well as Parisian neighborhoods. The race ends at the Esplanade des Invalides, in which Napoleon is buried.

This route is based on significant French history. In October 1789, between 6,000 and 7,000 Parisian women, joined by men, marched from the Hôtel de Ville through the city to Versailles. It was because of that march that Louis XVI agreed to ratify the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens. The marathoners are symbolically running in their footsteps. 

How tough is the course?

Unlike some more recent Olympics and U.S. Marathon Trials races, this course isn’t a circuit of repeated loops. Instead, it’s a full loop starting in Paris and loops down to Versailles outside of the city. 

While the elevation profile for the first nine miles looks fairly tame, once the runners are past the halfway mark the landscape changes. The most notable course feature is the three uphill stretches—they’re incredibly steep and very long. 

The first big hill comes just before the 10-mile mark, and it climbs at a 4 percent grade, which is roughly the same as Boston’s famed Newton hills. The difference with the Paris version is that it ascends for about 1.25 miles before it levels off for a bit. (Boston’s longest hill is less than half a mile, according to Sean Hartnett, emeritus professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, who specializes in marathon routes and other running competitions.)

The next hill at the 12-mile mark is at 5 percent, steeper than anything on the Boston course and 900 meters long. But those two are just appetizers for the real challenge. That hits just after the 18-mile mark. 

Runners will have to climb for 600 meters, at an average grade of 10.5 percent. Yes, picture putting your treadmill at 10 percent and trying to run up it at marathon pace. Hartnett calls it a “doozy” and struggles to find courses to compare it to. The Bix 7 in Davenport, Iowa, perhaps? Then he gives up. “It’s unlike anything in any competitive road marathon,” he said. (You can view a detailed description of the 15K-33K section as mapped by Hartnett here.)

In total, the route will include 1,430 feet of elevation gain. Possibly more challenging is the 1,437 feet of descent. The make-or-break point for the route might be just after that final brutal uphill, when they are bombing downhill—at some points at a gradient of 13.5 percent. Runners will have to be efficient going down, without pounding so much they trash their quads before the final flat stretch before the finish. To put the course into some more perspective, the World Marathon Majors that are considered the hilliest—Boston and New York City—each have an elevation gain of a little over 800 total feet. And for one final nugget, the average grade of the Mount Washington Auto Road Race is 12 percent. The course record for that 7.4-miler is at around 8:00 pace. 

This course will make the fastest marathoners in the world look almost human at times.

How do the marathoners feel about the course?

Pat Tiernan, an Olympian for Australia who is running the marathon, made two trips to Paris from his training base with Puma in North Carolina to examine the course. His first trip, in early April, was just to get a feel for the course. The second, in late May, was to train on it. 

“The first thing you notice,” Tiernan said in a phone call with Runner’s World, “is that it’s going to be a brutal course. There are going to be people walking.” 

If you look closely at the official Strava route, you can spot some U.S. Olympic marathoners on the leaderboards of the course’s toughest segments.

On April 10, U.S. team member Clayton Young did a 12.80-mile run on the hilliest section of the course, where he “pushed the uphills, chilled the downhills.” During the steepest climb—right before the mile 18 split—Young tackled a .44-mile segment in 3:09, giving him a modest average pace (for a world-class marathoner) of 7:01 per mile. But if you look at Strava’s “grade adjusted pace,” which factors in elevation, that 7:01 converts to 5:03 mile pace. His average heart rate was 179 beats per minute.

Dakotah Lindwurm, a U.S. team member for the women, also previewed the course in April in a run she called, “Tour de La Olympic hills ?].” She racked up an impressive 16 “course records” during her 10.87-mile workout, and on the same steep segment that Young ran, she averaged 7:43 pace with a grade-adjusted pace of 5:21 per mile. 

Emily Sisson, the U.S. record holder in the marathon, has been training for both the hills and the flats. “We’ve been doing a lot of stuff on hills, because [we] want to come out of the hills into the last 10K feeling good,” she says. “That’s also why you don’t want to slack on 10K work, because it could be quite fast at the end. So kind of trying to do it all.” 

Tiernan agreed with Sisson on the unique challenge. If marathoners go too hard through the hills, they could struggle at the end, he said. If they go too easy through the hills and subsequent descents, they might be out of touch by the final 10K. He said the Paris course is as “if you were to do a 10K road race, then go and run a hard 10K hill cross country course, then a 10K road race.” 

If nothing else, it could make for some surprises on the podium.

When exactly are the races?

The men’s event happens on Saturday, August 10. If you want to watch live, get your favorite espresso ready. The event begins at 2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT in the U.S. The following day for the women’s race, the 2024 Paris Olympics fully conclude in honor of the 40th anniversary of the first women’s Olympic marathon event, won by Joan Benoit-Samuelson. The start time is also at 2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT.

Who are the major names in each race?

Both races are packed with star power in the form of returning Olympic champions, world record holders, and World Marathon Majors winners. The biggest storyline in the men’s race is whether Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic marathon gold medalist who many consider to be the greatest of all time, will be able to retain his crown in what may be his final Olympics at age 39.

The women’s event is even more stacked and should make for quite the event to cap off the 2024 Olympics. Newly ratified world record holder Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia will have to match speed and strategy against the likes of Hellen Obiri and Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and the Netherlands’s Sifan Hassan, who is running the marathon after racing in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters on the track. 

Men’s Marathon Contenders

Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya (2:01:09)

Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia (2:01:41) 

Benson Kipruto, Kenya (2:02:16)

Tamirat Tola, Ethiopia (2:03:39)

Conner Mantz, USA (2:07:47)

Clayton Young, USA (2:08:00)

Women’s Marathon Contenders

Tigist Assefa, Ethiopia (2:11:53)

Sifan Hassan, Netherlands (2:13:44)

Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya (2:16:16)

Emily Sisson, USA (2:18:29)

Hellen Obiri, Kenya (2:21:38)

Rose Chelimo, Bahrain (2:22:51)

Fiona O’Keeffe, USA (2:22:10)

Sharon Lokedi, Kenya (2:22:45)

Did you know there is a mass participation race?

If not, now you do. It’s called the Marathon Pour Tous, and we’re pretty jealous we can’t run this one. There will be a full marathon and a 10K on the same route as the Olympic marathon on the evening of August 10. Yes, a night race in the City of Lights. More than 20,000 participants are expected for each event.

The retired British star noted that Kipchoge might win a medal at the Olympics but it will definitely not be a gold medal.

Retired British long-distance Mo Farah has predicted the medal Eliud Kipchoge will win at the Paris Olympic Games, and it’s not a gold medal.

The four-time Olympic champion disclosed that the quality of the field is strong, hence making it difficult for Kipchoge to win his third successive Olympic marathon title.

Kipchoge won the title at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and defended his title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The five-time Berlin Marathon champion looks to make history in Paris and win his third successive marathon title.

Farah explained that there are many youngsters in the race, admitting that the race will be a battle between Kenyans and Ethiopians, with a winner coming from either of the two countries. He added that Kipchoge might win a medal, but was not sure of the medal it would be, either the silver and bronze medal.

“Eliud Kipchoge…I think the marathon is going to be tough, honestly, there is a lot of Kenyans and youngsters. He could get a medal, but I think it’s going to come from the Kenyans or Ethiopian new guy to win that race,” Farah said in an interview with Olympics.com.

Kipchoge will be joined by Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto and the reigning London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso.

The Ethiopian contingent will be led by legendary marathoner Kenenisa Bekele, who will be racing his final Olympic Games.

Sisay Lemma had also been selected in the team but was forced to withdraw due to an injury and he was replaced by Tamirat Tola, the 2022 world champion. Deresa Geleta completes the Ethiopian team.

The Kenyan and Ethiopian rivalry will once again be witnessed on the Olympic stage with the Ethiopians looking to reclaim their title after Kenya’s reign in two consecutive Olympic Games.

Evans Chebet has wished Kenya's Olympic team to the Paris Olympics as he made a bold prediction concerning the men's marathon performance on the Olympic stage.

Former Valencia Marathon champion Evans Chebet has wished Team Kenya luck as they fly the country’s flag high at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Chebet is confident that the strong marathon team selected has the ability of winning a gold medal for Kenya, thanks to their resilience and pursuit for success.

The two-time Boston Marathon champion noted that he has raced against Eliud Kipchoge, Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso in different races and disclosed that they are strong athletes who can deliver a gold medal for Kenya.

“When the team was selected, I was unbothered and didn’t complain because I had an injury. I feel like Eliud, Benson, and Mutiso will do well since they are strong. I have raced with them and I know they are strong athletes,” Chebet told Daily Sport.

“I pray that they embrace teamwork and I wish them all the best. They should bring us gold and I believe they have the ability to do well,” he added.

The 2022 New York City Marathon champion added that he suffered an injury before going for last year’s New York City Marathon, forcing him to withdraw from the race and take a step back from training.

As Kenya’s team for the marathon was being selected, Chebet was not in the best shape to be considered hence the snub.

The Kenyan marathoner added that the selected team is strong and will motivate him to impress when he makes his return to the New York City Marathon, hoping to reclaim his Olympic title.

“I got a stress fracture and last year, I had to pull out of the New York City Marathon last year. I had to take care of it and going to Boston earlier this year, I had an injury but I was happy. I have started training and gone back to the camp. I’m getting ready to go and race in New York and I want to stay healthy,” Chebet said.

“People kept asking me why I was not selected in the Olympics but I feel like that team is strong and as I go to the New York City Marathon, I will be motivated to do better because I know the marathon team in Paris will perform well,” he added.

We are just four days away from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics and a little over a week from the start of the athletics events at the Stade de France. If you’re looking to place your bets for gold or want to know the favorites for each event (according to Vegas sportsbooks), we’ve got you covered with insights and odds to help you get the best value out of your picks.

Men’s 100m

Favorite: Kishane Thompson (JAM) -105 [world leader]

Best value: Oblique Seville (JAM) +900 

Men’s 200m

Favorite: Noah Lyles (USA) -290 [3x world champion]

Best value: Erriyon Knighton (USA) +1000 [2x world championship medallist]

Men’s 400m

Favorite: Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) +120 [world silver medalist]

Best value: Steven Gardiner (BAH) +350 [reigning Olympic champion]

Men’s 800m

Favorite: Djamel Sedjati (ALG) -250 [world leader]

Best value: Marco Arop (CAN) +1500 [reigning world champion]

Men’s 1,500m

Favorite: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) -225 [reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Josh Kerr (GBR) +175 [reigning world champion]

Men’s 5,000m

Favorite: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) -290 [reigning world champion]

Best value: George Mills (GBR) +4000 

Men’s 10,000m

Favorite: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) +120 [world record holder]

Best value: Berihu Aregawi (ETH) +600 

Men’s 110m hurdles

Favorite: Grant Holloway (USA) -500 [world leader and world champion]

Best value: Hansle Parchment (JAM) +1000 [reigning Olympic champion]

Men’s 400m hurdles

Favorite: Rai Benjamin (USA) +100 [world leader]

Best value: Alison Dos Santos (BRA) +300 [2022 world champion]

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase

Favorite: Lamecha Girma (ETH) -120

Best value: Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) +190

Men’s marathon

Favorite: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) -190 [reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Benson Kipruto (KEN) +900 [2024 Tokyo Marathon champion]

Women’s 100m

Favorite: Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) -225 [reigning world champion]

Best value: Julien Alfred (LCA) +700 

Women’s 200m

Favorite: Gabby Thomas (USA) +105 [2020 Olympic bronze medalist]

Best value: Shericka Jackson (JAM) +180 [reigning world champion

Women’s 400m

Favorite: Marileidy Paulino (DOM) -135 [2020 Olympic silver medalist]

Best value: Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL) +700 

Women’s 800m

Favorite: Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) -290 [Olympic silver medallist]

Best value: Nia Atkins (USA) +1500

Women’s 1,500m

Favorite: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) -285 [world record holder]

Best value: Jessica Hull (AUS) +1000

Women’s 5,000m

Favorite: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) -285 [world champion]

Best value: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) +750 [world XC champion]

Women’s 10,000m

Favorite: Sifan Hassan (NED) +120 [reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) +250 [reigning world champion]

Women’s 100m hurdles

Favorite: Cyrena Samba-Mayela (FRA) +250 [European champion]

Best value: Tobi Amusan (NGR) +1500 [world record holder]

Women’s 400m hurdles

Favorite: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) -700 [world record holder and reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Femke Bol (NED) +300 [reigning world champion]

Women’s 3,000m steeplechase

Favorite: Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) n/a [world record holder]

Best value: Sembo Almayew (ETH) n/a

Women’s marathon

Favorite: Tigst Assefa (ETH) +250 [world record holder]

Best value: Hellen Obiri (KEN) +400 [2023 & 2024 Boston Marathon champion] 

Kenya has 3 in the top 5 marathoners, list

In the world of marathon running, Kenya continues to produce elite athletes who dominate the global stage. As we approach the 2024 Paris Olympics, let's delve into the top five marathoners who are making headlines with their exceptional performances.

1. Benson Kipruto - 2:02:16

At the forefront is Benson Kipruto, whose recent victory at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon not only set a world-leading time but also established a new personal best. Known for his resilience and strategic prowess, Kipruto's triumph over Eliud Kipchoge in Tokyo solidified his status as a formidable contender for the gold medal in Paris. His impressive track record includes wins at prestigious events like the Boston Marathon (2021) and the Chicago Marathon (2022), highlighting his consistency at the highest level of competition.

2. Timothy Kiplagat - 2:02:55

Timothy Kiplagat emerges as another standout performer, narrowly missing out on Kenya's Olympic team but securing his spot as the reserve athlete. His remarkable second-place finish at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, where he outpaced Eliud Kipchoge, showcased his ability to excel under pressure and set a new personal best time. With the potential to join the Olympic squad if circumstances permit, Kiplagat remains a key figure to watch in Kenya's marathon scene.

3. Deresa Geleta - 2:03:27

Deresa Geleta represents Ethiopia but deserves mention for his exceptional performance at the 2024 Zurich Maraton de Sevilla, where he set a course record. As part of Ethiopia's Olympic team alongside legends like Kenenisa Bekele, Geleta's prowess in long-distance running underscores East Africa's dominance in the sport.

4. Morhad Amdouni - 2:03:47

Morhad Amdouni, a prominent figure in French athletics, secured second place at the 2024 Seville Marathon and will represent his country at the upcoming Olympics. His training stints in Kenya highlight the allure of Kenyan terrain for honing marathon skills, reflecting the global appeal of East African training camps.

5. Alexander Munyao - 2:04:01

Alexander Munyao rounds off the top five with his impressive performance at the London Marathon, where he triumphed over Bekele in a thrilling finish. With a strong track record in European half marathons and marathons, Munyao's ability to compete at the highest level underscores Kenya's deep talent pool in long-distance running.

Kenyan marathoner Alexander Mutiso has given a sneak peek into his training routine ahead of tackling the tough marathon course at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Reigning London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso has discussed his training routine ahead of his Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Mutiso has been selected alongside defending champion Eliud Kipchoge and Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto. Timothy Kiplagat has been selected as a reserve.

The 27-year-old, as he looks forward to win a medal in Paris, disclosed that he mostly works on his strength and endurance.

He admitted that the Olympic marathon course is not a walk in the park and his coach decided to focus on the two things, however, he still works on the other aspects. The former world under-18 bronze medalist was also in awe of being selected in the team, saying that it is a dream come true.

“Being selected in the team has always been my prayer and I feel very happy for being given a chance to compete there because I know it’s not easy,” Mutiso told RFI media.

“I start with strength training and going to the gym because we were given the Paris marathon course outlook and we saw it’s not an easy one. My coach and I sat down and discussed the program and how I can train and we have planned everything according to how the course looks like,” he added.

“We have set aside gym days, hard workouts, and then long runs and speed work. I always work towards gaining more endurance through long runs, speed work, and hill runs to maintain my stamina.”

Mutiso noted that diet is also an important aspect of his routine as he plans to face off against the best in the world. The 2023 Prague Marathon champion also maintains discipline and his trust in God stands out above everything.

“Diet is also very important and ensuring I have enough rest. I know we shall be many and everyone is preparing for gold and everyone has to work hard and follow the training program,” he said.

“You also have to trust in God and be disciplined and we shall bring a medal if all goes well. Qualifying for the Olympics is a dream come true and if I manage to win, it will be a very huge blessing in my life.”

Two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion John Korir returns to the Boilermaker 15K road race on Sunday, itching to go one step better after finishing second to Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer last year.

Korir will use the race to gauge his body ahead of the Chicago Marathon on October 13.

“I am heading there to win the race after missing out last year,” said Korir. “I am well prepared. This will be a big event for me.”

Korir, a younger brother to former Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir, added: “I will use it as part of my speed work and endurance training for the Chicago Marathon. Chicago is no joke but a real battle for the title since it attracts top marathoners.”

Korir spoke at the Eldoret International Airport on Wednesday morning as he started his journey to the USA.

Last year, Korir finished second in 42:13 behind Yimer (42:06) as Kenya’s Charles Langat completed the podium in 42:28.

At the Chicago Marathon, Korir finished fourth in 2:05:09 in a race won by the late Kelvin Kiptum in a world marathon record time of 2:00:35.

The then defending champion, Benson Kipruto, was second in 2:04:02 as Belgium’s Bashir Abdi completed the podium in 2:04:32.

In 2022, Korir was third in 2:05:01 behind Kipruto (2:04:24) and Ethiopia’s Seif Tura 2:04:49.

London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao says he will exploit his underdog status in the hunt for the men’s marathon title at the Paris Olympic Games.

Two-time Olympic Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele are front runners.

The duo have won numerous championships and major marathons while Munyao only has last month's  London Marathon title to boast of. 

Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto will be the other Kenyan athlete in the race. But undaunted by the challenge, Munyao is determined to pull off a surprise in the French capital.

“I’m targeting nothing less than gold in Paris. I know Kipchoge will be chasing his third Olympic title and Kipruto is an equally serious contender but I’m ready for the challenge,” Munyao stated.

 The London Marathon London Marathon champion envisions a Kenyan sweep on the podium and expects the trio to push each other to victory. 

“A Kenya 1-2-3 finish is very possible. We’ll be pushing each other hard, and I believe Kenya will dominate in Paris,” he added.

Beyond winning gold, Munyao is keen to lower his personal best (PB). “I aim to reduce my PB to 2:01 or 2:02,” he added.

The 27-year-old  boasts a PB of 2:03:11 set in December 2023 during the Valencia Marathon, where he placed second.

Last week, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation announced its three male representatives for Paris, headlined by three-time Olympic track champion Bekele. He will team up with Valencia Marathon champion Sisay Lemma and Beijing Marathon champion Deresa Geleta.

Despite acknowledging the strength of the Ethiopian team, Munyao views his Kenyan compatriots as his main rivals.

“Ethiopia have a strong team no doubt but I don't see them posing any threat to us. I have run with Bekele and Lemma before and I know their techniques. However, I haven't run with Kipchoge or Kipruto before and that makes them more competitive unlike the Ethiopians,” he noted.

During his triumph in London last month, Munyao beat Bekele to the title, clocking 2:04:01 with Bekele, who was the pre-race favorite, settling for second place in 2:04:15.

At the 2023 Prague Marathon, Munyao clinched the title in 2:05:09, beating Lemma to second place in 2:06:51. Looking ahead to Paris, Munyao plans to stay with the leading pack and make his decisive move close to the finish. 

“My strategy will be simple! I have to stay with the leading pack and make my move a few kilometres to the finish as was the case in London,” Munyao noted.

However, Munyao tempered expectations for a new world record in Paris, citing the challenging nature of the course.

“I have not run the Paris course before but from what I have heard from athletes, it is a tough course. Breaking a world record there will not be easy. What will be important for us athletes is a medal,” he added.

Munyao resumed full training last week at Ngong Hills under the guidance of his coach Peter Muteti, running 30km daily.

“I resumed full training for the Olympics last week at Ngong Hills. I do 30km daily runs, 20km in the morning with light 10km runs in the evening,” he added.

The 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto reckons he has polished his act satisfactorily to reap immensely at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Kipruto emphatically stated his desire to light up the French capital with a sublime performance. 

“I’m looking forward to competing in the Paris Games. Being named to the team is a great privilege and I cherish the rare chance to represent the country in the Olympics,” Kipruto stated.

“I’m ready to fight bravely for my country. I believe I’m in good shape and ready to make the nation proud in Paris,” he added.

Kipruto said the thought of being on the same team as his role model Eliud Kipchoge fascinates him a lot, adding that the double Olympic champion has always been his key source of inspiration.

The duo mske up the quintet of Kenyan male marathoners tasked with flying the country’s flag at the quadrennial global multisport showpiece set for July 26 to August 11.

Kipruto tipped Kipchoge to spearhead Kenya’s lofty hunt for a podium sweep but vowed to give him a run for his money.

“He is a brilliant athlete, one who has always inspired me a great deal. I desire to be as great as him and step into his shoes once he calls time on his career,” Kipruto remarked.

Kipruto reiterated an earlier call made by his teammates for a concerted effort, pointing out it was the only way to ensure a podium sweep.

“I believe in the strength of team effort. Away from competition, we train together reside in the same camp, and interact like a family. I don’t see what should prevent us from going for an Olympic as a team,” Kipruto stated.

He said they would do away with their pre-race favourites tag to stave off complacency, adding that it would be tactically suicidal to underrate their opponents.

Kenya will be defending the title that Kipchoge stashed away at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan and Kipruto has tipped the nation to replicate the feat in the French capital.

“We can’t afford to head to the competition with a superior mentality. I’ll appreciate that we have a solid team but we should be careful not to take our opponents for granted,” Kipruto said. “Marathon is a tricky venture and anything is bound to happen in competition,” he added.

Kipruto heads to the Games buoyed by impressive credentials as the winner of the Boston Marathon in 2021, the Chicago Marathon in 2022, and the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year.

Two-time  Boston Marathon Champion Evans Chebet has his sights set on reclaiming the  New York City Marathon crown after failing to defend his  Boston title.

The  New York City Marathon, the largest marathon in the world, is slated for November 3.

The 35-year-old secured a third-place finish with a time of 2:07:22 at the 128th edition of the  Boston Marathon on April 15, with Ethiopians Mohamed Esa (2:06:58) and Sisay Lemma (2:06:17) taking the top spots.

Chebet is confident of a stronger performance at the New York Marathon and boldly declared that his intention to clinch the title.

“I have intensified my training ahead of the  New York Marathon and my target is to clinch the title. I hope to be ready before the event,” he noted.

In 2022, Chebet stormed to victory in 2:08:41 to secure the  New York title. He, however, was forced to pull out of the 2023 edition, where he was poised to defend his crown, due to injury.

Reflecting on his  Boston performance, Chebet attributed his third-place finish to a tendon rupture but expressed satisfaction with his result.

“Before we went to the  Boston Marathon I got an injury during training.  My tendon raptured and I couldn't perform to the best of my ability, finishing third.”

He added: “It was a tough race. Of course I would have loved to retain my title but I am still happy with my performance,” he stated.

In 2022, Chebet clocked 2:06:51 to claim his first  Boston title, leading a Kenyan podium sweep. Lawrence Cherono (2:07:21) placed second with Benson Kipruto (2:07:27) settling for third.

He returned to the Massachusetts capital in 2023, where he defended his title after clocking 2:05:54. Chebet emphasised his commitment to smooth training, working closely with physiotherapists to ensure his recovery.

“I started training two days ago. Right now, I feel my leg is okay. I have been working with my physiotherapist to ensure I get back on the road as soon as possible,” he noted.

With light 12km morning runs and careful monitoring, Chebet aims to avoid overexertion and potential setbacks.

“With the advice from my coach and doctors, I have been running 12km daily in the morning. I want my leg to adjust and heal first before I add more kilometres to my daily run,” he stated.

He also pointed out that he would not push himself because he feared a repeat of what happened last year before the  New York Marathon, where he was set to defend his crown.

“Last year, I pulled out of the marathon because of injury. I am taking things easy to ensure I am fit for  New York. I am hungry to reclaim my title,” Chebet stated.

The reigning Olympic women’s marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir reckons she has the allure to hypnotize her way to another crown at the upcoming 2024 Paris Games in August.

Jepchirchir, 30, heads to the French capital inspired by her mind-blowing act of genius at the 2024 London Marathon, where she smashed the women’s only world record at a searing pace of two hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds.

In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Jepchirchir expressed optimism in her determination to crack a back-to-back title at the Olympic Games.

She spoke moments after Athletics Kenya unveiled the official list of eight men and women marathoners who will hold forte for the nation at the Paris Games.

“I know it won’t be easy. I’m expecting a tough contest but I’m confident I’ll accomplish my pursuit at the Summer Olympics in Paris. I’ve equipped myself adequately for the enormous assignment ahead,” Jepchirchir remarked.

Jepchirchir said she would replicate the tactical blueprint that fired her to glory in previous races including her momentous triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“I have adopted a strong finishing kick that comes in handy on the home stretch. I’ve always made it impossible for my opponents to overtake me in the final 800m. That’s exactly what I intend to do,” Jepchirchir stated.

Reflecting on her historic windfall in the frigid streets of England last month, the diminutive runner said her record-smashing exploits caught her by surprise.

“I was thrilled by the victory. I was not expecting to shatter the world record. I remotely believed someone would smash it but it hardly crossed my mind that person would be me.”

The conquest served to embellish an astral career set in motion by two World Half Marathon victories in 2016 and 2020.

She went on to storm the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathon titles before wrapping up third at the 2023 London Marathon.

Jepchirchir headlines a starry roster of Kenyan marathoners tasked with hoisting the nation’s flag at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

According to a list unveiled by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya on Wednesday, Jepchirchir’s teammates include reigning Boston and New York Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Brigid Kosgei, and 2022 New York Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi who has been incorporated as a reserve runner.

Double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge headlines the men’s list that also boasts the recently crowned London Marathon champion Alex Mutiso,  Benson Kipruto and Timothy Kiplagat who has earned a spot on the team as a reserve.

The women’s Olympic race slated for August 11, will cover a 42,195km loop linking Paris and Versailles.

The marathon will begin at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris and ends at Les Invalides, passing through nine districts including the Paris— Boulogne-Billancourt, Sèvres, Ville d’Avray, Versailles, Viroflay, Chaville, Meudon and Issy-les-Moulineaux.

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge anticipates a fierce battle at the Paris Olympic marathon, even tougher than when he won the first of his two titles in Rio 2016.

“It will be a tough race. 106 countries will be participating. Everyone at the start line is a champion in their rights. I do not underrate anybody. I am not the same as when I won my first title,” Kipchoge noted.

Last month, Kipchoge ran at the Tokyo Marathon, where he placed 10th in 2:06:50.

In a post-race interview, Kipchoge stated that it was a bad day in office for him but he hopes to build on the lessons learned.

The legendary Olympian said his sights are set solely on the Olympics, ruling out any other race as he puts all his energy and focus into securing a hat-trick of titles.

“I have no plans to race in any other marathon. I am putting all my mind and training into the Olympics. I want to win a third title,” he noted.

Confident in his abilities, the 39-year-old is determined to earn his spot to make his fifth appearance in the global extravaganza. 

“I trust I will make the final three to represent Kenya in Paris. This will be my fifth appearance in the Olympics,” he noted.

Athletics Kenya presented a list of five male athletes to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya to undergo training in readiness for the Olympics. Only three will go to Paris.

Kipchoge is joined by the Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, Kagawa Half Marathon silver medalist Alexander Mutiso and Tokyo Marathon silver and bronze medalists Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Ngetich.

 “Representing Kenya at such a stage feels good. This is the only way I can give back to my country. I can’t build bridges or roads. This is how I show my patriotism to my country,” he noted.

Kipchoge’s first appearance at the Olympics was in Athens 2004, where he won bronze in the 5,000m clocking 13:15.10. He upgraded it to silver at Beijing 2008 in a time of 13:02.80 — behind Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele (12:57.82).

In Rio 2016, he clocked 2:08:44 to bag the marathon title and defended it at Tokyo 2020, clocking 2:08:38.

NOC-K secretary general Francis Mutuku tipped Kipchoge to achieve his dreams, especially with the determination and discipline he has shown in training under Patrick Sang.

“Sang told us that when he says training starts at 5 am, Kipchoge is ready at that time. He is devoted and disciplined in his training,” he noted.

Despite facing criticism, Kipchoge remains grounded, believing that humility is the ultimate key to triumph.

“The longest tree receives all the wind. The tree can lose all its leaves and endure the winter and still be firm. Being humble has been and will always be the key to success,” he added.

Kenyan long-distance runner Benson Kipruto has vowed to light up the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on his way to a podium finish.

Kipruto pledged a master-class act at the Games, saying he would be out to prove the nation’s mettle as an athletics powerhouse

Kipruto, 33, comprises the talent-laden list of Kenyan male marathoners tasked with flying the country’s flag at the premier quadrennial global showpiece.

He will hold forte for the East African athletics powerhouse alongside compatriots Eliud Kipchoge, Alexander Mutiso, Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich and Timothy Kiplagat.

He heads to the French capital booted by impressive credentials in his stellar career having previously tucked away the 2021  Boston Marathon, the 2022  Chicago Marathon as well as the Tokyo Marathon earlier in the year.

Kipruto, who will be testing his grit for the first time in the official Kenyan colours, has pledged to stamp authority in his maiden assignment for the East African nation.

“I consider it a special honour to compete for my country in the Olympics because I’ll be doing it for the first time in my career. This means a lot to me,” Kipruto remarked.

It will also be the first time he will be involved in a team effort having battled on his own in the past. Kipruto, however, said he is not quaking in the boots at the thought of navigating the unfamiliar waters.

“It will be a whole new experience because I’m used to battling for individual effort as opposed to teamwork. I’m trying as much as I can to learn the new ropes.”

Kipruto said he is not under the pump to stamp his authority in Paris.

“I don’t feel any pressure since I know what the race entails. I have participated in many other races and, therefore, appreciate the significance of remaining calm.

“I’m ready for the challenge and up to the task ahead,” Kipruto stated. Kipruto said he will adopt a mental strategy in the cut-throat competition while acknowledging he will require a lot of resilience and fortitude to get the job done and dusted.

“The secret is to maintain your composure until the very end of the marathon. Therefore, it is crucial to always forget everything when you are at the starting line. The race is 42km long and requires one to exercise a lot of patience and refrain.”

The athlete said he draws inundated inspiration from his childhood hero Eliud Kipchoge whom he will unfortunately trail his guns on this time around.

Kipruto has never represented Kenya at a global championships, but the fifth fastest marathoner in history hopes to shine bright at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Reigning Tokyo marathon champion Benson Kipruto has revealed what it would mean for him to represent Kenya at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic games.

Kipruto, 33, is approaching the twilight of his career, but even though he has won quite a lot in his career, has never participated in either the World Championships or Olympic games.

He also won the Boston Marathon in 2021, the Chicago Marathon in 2022 and has been named on Kenya’s provisional marathon squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Athletics Kenya already handed the list of five athletes to NOC-K who will later on trim down the number to three, with Kipruto part of the quintet. 

The others are defending champion Eliud Kipchoge , 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion Timothy Kiplagat,  2023 Prague Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso and Vincent Kipkemboi who finished second at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

Speaking on a documentary released by World Athletics, Kipruto has expressed just how much it would mean for him to don the national colors at the quadrennial tournament for the first time.

“Competing at the Olympics will mean alot to me having in mind that I have never ran for my Kenyan team,” Kipruto said on World Athletics.

“If I qualify, I will do my best to represent my country. It would be something new to me. I am learning. I will be privileged to represent my country for the first time.

“It would mean so much. I love my country.”

Representing Kenya would naturally put a lot of pressure on him to do well, but Kipruto is adamant he is not feeling it as the team is expected to do well at the games anyway.

“I do not have any pressure because I understand what it means. I am the one running so I know you do not have to (go through) pressure but my followers and my teammates, I tell them I am ready.”

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet hopes to be selected in the final squad of the men's marathon ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics despite not making it to the Athletics Kenya squad that was handed over to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

The 2022 New York City Marathon champion Evans Chebet is still hopeful of making the cut to the Olympic marathon team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games despite not being included in the previous list.

Chebet, the two-time Boston Marathon champion, however, noted that he will accept the decision from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya. Athletics Kenya already handed the list of five athletes to NOC-K who will later on trim down the number to three.

Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge leads the field and he will be joined by the reigning Tokyo Marathon Benson Kipruto, the 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion Timothy Kiplagat, the 2023 Prague Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso, and Vincent Kipkemboi who finished second at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

"I hope to make it to Kenya's Team for the Paris Olympics, but again, if the selectors choose someone else, I will respect their decision,” Chebet told Sports Brief.

In order to prove that he is capable of bagging a medal at the global bonanza, Chebet seeks to win his third successive title at the Boston Marathon, after winning two titles in 2022 and 2023.

He admitted there will be tough competition but the Kenyan is ready for the challenge and he explained that his body is feeling great. Chebet withdrew from his title defense at last year’s New York City Marathon due to an injury and has not raced since.

"The competition is tough. I am the person with a target on his back. Every other athlete will come with the idea of beating me and denying me another chance to win the title, but I feel good and I am ready," Chebet added.

Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge will lead Team Kenya's men’s marathon team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Athletics Kenya has announced.

Kipchoge goes to Paris with history in his mind as he intends to become the first man to win three Olympic titles over the marathon. If he manages to achieve the feat, he will also become the oldest marathoner to have successfully defended his title at the Olympics.

Kipchoge had a false start at the Tokyo Marathon where he finished a disappointing 10th but he has since gone back to training and will be sharpening his talons ahead of the global bonanza.

Joining Kipchoge will be reigning Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto who stunned heads at the Tokyo Marathon to take the top prize just as a debutant. Kipruto is a well-known marathoner and with a man of such quality in the field, Kenya is assured of a medal.

Kipruto goes to the Olympic Games hungrier than ever since he will be in the hunt for his first title under the Team Kenya jersey. With the motivation from winning the Tokyo Marathon, he will be out to impress.

Another athlete to watch will be Timothy Kiplagat, the 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon champion. Kiplagat is laid back but when it comes to the marathons, he knows how to execute his races well and finish in the podium bracket.

Alexander Mutiso has also made the cut to the national team in his first senior assignment. Mutiso bagged silver for Team Kenya during the 2018 World Under-18 Athletics Championships.

He will be hoping to impress one more time, having a great record of previous marathon successes including a win at the 2023 Prague Marathon and a second-place finish at the 2023 Valencia Marathon.

Little-known Vincent Ngetich, the young man who traumatized Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon will also be part of the star-studded field. Ngetich proved to be a great marathon runner, finishing second behind Kipchoge in his debut over the distance.

Eliud Kipchoge has not suffered any injury or withdrawn from the Paris 2024 Olympics with the marathon GOAT having put the disappointments of Tokyo behind him.

You might have fallen for our April Fool’s Day story about two-time Olympics champion Eliud Kipchoge withdrawing from the Paris 2024 Games.

Well, the marathon GOAT is very much on the road to Paris as he has not withdrawn or suffered any injury.

Kipchoge will be heading to Paris with the aim of becoming the first man to win three straight Olympics marathon gold medals and is back in training ahead of the Games.

ipchoge was selected among Team Kenya’s provisional squad for the Olympics alongside with 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Ngetich, who finished second and third in Tokyo, Bernard Koech, two-time New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto and Titus Kipruto.

With Athletics Kenya set to add another name to the roster before naming the final three, Kipchoge is hot favourite to be on the list that will head to Paris and he is fully focused on making history in the French capital.

“My aim is to inspire as many people as I can. I am aiming for three gold medals consecutively,” Kipchoge told the LOAF Podcast.

“Back-to-back-to-back. This is in my mind. I will try my best to push myself to win it three times and tell the next generation that longevity is the key and you can make a goal, pursue it and make it happen.”

Kipchoge is coming off a disappointing outing in Tokyo where he managed a 10th-place finish, having started well, something that saw some observers doubt whether he can win Olympics gold.

While he has put the disappointment behind him, he admits the defeat took its toll on him after toiling for so long to ensure he achieved success.

“I have learnt that you can train in a good way, be in a good shape but putting in it practice, something will remain unlocked and disappointments will come in but a coin has two sides but in life, it has three sides, that is thinking big,” he added.

“I did not succeed as far as Tokyo marathon is concerned. I feel disappointed to train for four, five months without getting the real results but it is not the end of life.”

With the marathon being the last event on the Olympics programme on August 11, Kipchoge has four months to prepare for what could be his final appearance at the Games and possibly right the wrongs of Tokyo in Paris.

Two-time Olympics champion Eliud Kipchoge’s recent form has seen some doubt whether he will be able to defend his title in Paris but Athletics Kenya looks set to have him on the team.

Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge will definitely be at the Paris 2024 Games despite his indifferent form in his recent races.

Kipchoge has won one of his three marathons [Berlin 2023], coming after a sixth-place finish in Boston the same year, before a 10th placing in Tokyo this month.

That has seen doubts emerge from some observers who feel the GOAT might not have enough to claim a third straight Olympics gold while others have even called for the 39-year-old to give way but athletics coach Julius Kirwa feels it would be ill advised to write him off.

“Kipchoge is good and we depend on him,” Kirwa, who is among those who will select Kenya’s final marathon squad to Paris, told Pulse Sports.

“We encourage him to ignore everything that is being said about him and only concentrate on representing the country. I know he is ready and capable of representing the country as he has always done,” added Kirwa.

Kirwa insists Kipchoge has to be on the plane to Paris due to his status and the fact the he is one of the most reliable athletes for Kenya even if emerging stars are threatening to dethrone him.

“Eliud is a defending champion and is always available to represent the country,” said the veteran coach. “We cannot say because there are others who have come and run better than him we are going to leave him out.”

“We give them an opportunity to represent the country based on knowledge, capabilities, strength and discipline, which is very important.”

Kipchoge was part of a strong 10-man provisional team unveiled last December that had the late Kelvin Kiptum, with 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Ngetich, who finished second and third in Tokyo, Bernard Koech, two-time New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto and Titus Kipruto.

Following Kiptum’s demise, Athletics Kenya intend to add another name to the list before the final three are unveiled by May with the women’s team having defending champion Peres Jepchirchir, former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, Boston and New York Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, 2019 world champion Ruth Chepng'etich, 2024 Tokyo Marathon runners-up Rosemary Wanjiru, Joycilline Jepkosgei, Sheila Chepkirui, Judith Korir, Seley Chepyego and Sharon Lokedi.

Pulse Sports details the reasons that make 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kiptruto Kenya’s best bet for marathon gold at the Paris Olympics.

Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto appears to be the early favorite to win Kenya gold at the Paris Olympics given his recent form.

Kipruto is still basking in the glory of his win in Tokyo last week when he clocked 2:02:16 to break the course record ahead of countrymen Timothy Kiplagat (2:02:55) and Vincent Ngetich (2:04:18).

That was Kipruto’s fourth win in his last seven marathons, having also won in Prague and Boston in 2021 and Chicago in 2022. During that period, the 32-year-old has also not finished outside the top three, third in Boston in 2022 and 2023, as well as a second place in Chicago last year.

Looking at the provisional Team Kenya marathon team to Paris Olympics selected last December, only Kelvin Kiptum had better numbers, but the world marathon record holder is now deceased, which leaves Kipruto with a head start.

Kenya’s provisional squad of 10 had Kipruto, Kiptum, two-time Olympics champion Eliud Kipchoge, Ngetich, Timothy Kiplagat, Bernard Koech, two-time New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto and Titus Kipruto.

With Athletics Kenya (AK) making their selection based on World Athletics Road to Paris Marathon Rankings, two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet and Alexander Mutiso, third in Valencia in 2:03:29 on his debut in 2022, winner in Prague last year (2:05:09), before second place in Valencia 2023 (2:03:11) did not make the team.

Mutiso had not run Valencia when the team was unveiled while Chebet has been very consistent. After his marathon debut in 2013 in Seoul (2:11:26), Chebet has managed top four placings in all 15 marathons he has finished, including six wins and six runner-up finishes.

He won in Boston and New York in 2022 before defending his Boston title and he will be back again in April in a bid to make it three straight wins.

Athletics Kenya has yet to indicate if there will be alterations to the team in light of Kiptum’s demise, which could give Chebet or Mutiso a ticket to the Olympics, if they do well in Boston and London respectively next month.

If AK sticks to the original list, then Kipruto will be seen as the hot favourite given the recent form of defending champion Kipchoge.

Kipchoge finished a disappointing 10th in Tokyo after clocking 2:06:50, having come in as favorite following his win in Berlin last year (2:02:42) and the fact that he also won in the Japanese capital in 2021 (2:02:40).

However, his sixth place in Boston last year (2:09:23), which was blamed on the lack of pacemakers and the hilly course, and the latest in Tokyo prove that he is human after all, hence the need to look beyond him for gold in Paris.

The Tokyo Marathon—the first World Marathon Major of 2024—took place Sunday morning in Japan. In near-perfect conditions, with a starting temperature of about 42 degrees, more than 37,000 runners took to the streets in Japan’s capital city. Course records fell, although several notable pre-race favorites fell short.

Benson Kipruto wins men’s race in a course record

It was a Kenyan sweep in the men’s race: Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, 32, of Kenya, won in 2:02:16, a course record by 24 seconds. Timothy Kiplagat, 30, placed second in a personal-best 2:02:55, while Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, 25, was third in 2:04:18.

Led by a trio of pacers, a pack of seven men blazed out at world record pace, traveling the first 5K in 14:16 (4:36 pace). By 15K, the pace had slowed, but only four men (and two pacers) remained: Kipruto, Kiplagat, and Ngetich, and Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, 39, the two-time Olympic champion and former world record holder.

Unlike the men, the women started more conservatively, then picked up the pace. The lead pack covered the first 5K in 16:16, a 5:12 pace. Shankule led much of the race as competitors dropped off; the pack thinned to seven by 15K, four by 25K, and the top three by 30K as the pace ratcheted down (Shankule, Wanjiru,and Kebede covered 25K to 30K in 15:59, 5:09 pace).

Just before the 40K mark, Shankule fell back. Then, at the fluid stop just after the 40K mark, Kebede pulled ahead of Wanjiru, battling to the clock to better the 2:16:02 Brigid Kosgei ran here in 2021. 

Sifan Hassan, 31, of the Netherlands, was fourth in 2:18:05—it was her third marathon, and her first loss. However, her time was still faster than the 2:18:33 she ran in her victorious London debut.

Saina shines after disappointment at Trials

Four weeks ago, American marathoner Betsy Saina, 35, who had been a favorite to make the U.S. Olympic team, dropped out of the Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida, after the 21-mile mark of the race. Even though Saina had been in contention for the third spot, she suddenly pulled off the course and flopped in the grass at the side of the road, a victim of the rising temperatures.

Saina quickly regrouped and was a late addition to the field for the Tokyo Marathon on March 3. In much cooler weather, Saina finished fifth in 2:19:17. It was a PR by 2:23, the third-fastest time by an American woman (behind Emily Sisson and Keira D’Amato), and some measure of redemption after the disappointment of the Trials. She averaged 5:18.7 per mile.

Benson Kipruto and Sutume Asefa Kebede both won in course records, and American Betsy Saina ran a big PR to take fifth.

The 2021 Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto is targeting a podium finish at Sunday’s Tokyo Marathon.

Kipruto trains in his backyard in Kapsabet, Nandi County, ahead of the much-awaited, starstudded showdown in the Japanese capital.

Other top athletes enlisted for the race are former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:09), Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13), Timothy Kiplagat (2:03:50), Hailemaryam Kiros (2:04:41) and Andualem Belay (2:04:44).

“My training and preparations for the Tokyo Marathon have been going on very well. I hope my hard training will yield great results,” said Kipruto, the 2016 Athens Classic Marathon silver medalist.

Kipruto was a surprise 2022 Chicago Marathon winner and silver medallist a year later­— behind the late Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world record of 2:00:35.

He said Tokyo was a a late destination after initially settling on a return to Boston.

“I was to compete at the Boston Marathon but I had to change to Tokyo since it gives me enough time to prepare for the Olympics Games,” said the 2017 Gongju Dong-A Marathon silver medalist.

He is unfazed by the calibre of competition.

“I have prepared well enough to run finish on the podium as well as lower my personal best,” said Kipruto.

Kipruto is also looking forward to representing the country at the Paris Olympic Games.

He was named in the provisional marathon team to Paris alongside Kipruto former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, Vincent Kipkemoi, Timothy Kiplagat, Bernard Koech, Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, Amos Kipruto, Titus Kipruto and the late Kelvin Kiptum.

“I have never represented my country in any competition and making the team to Paris would be a dream come true,” said Kipruto.

Meanwhile, Ugandan Victor Kiplang’at said he is well prepared for Tokyo.

Kiplangat, who has already hit the qualifying time for the Paris Olympic Games, told Xinhua that he has put in a lot of work during preparations as he seeks to improve on his time.

“I have trained well under coach Addy Ruiter and I can’t wait to go and prove a point in Japan,” said Kiplang’at.

The Tokyo Marathon is a good platform for his preparations for the Olympic Games in France in August.

Kiplang’at, who will follow Ugandan pace-setter Abel Boniface, said competing against Kipchoge will be a tough but great challenge.

Two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion John Korir is targeting a podium finish in the Boston Marathon after falling short last year. 

Korir said he aims to win the race scheduled for April 8 if not finish on the podium. 

 Korir, who finished 9th last year, said he believes his last year's experience will help him run away with the title.

Korir is fresh from finishing second in the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon, where he clocked 58:50 minutes behind the champion Daniel Mateiko (58:45). Isaiah Lasoi (58:55) ensured an all-Kenyan podium sweep. 

“As we speak, I am more than ready to battle for the Boston title or finish on the podium. Last year, I miscalculated and ended up in the wrong position,” said Korir. 

Korir, a younger brother to former Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir, will be seeking redemption on the course where he clocked 2:10.04 last year.

“My training is going well and I hope to secure a top position with a great time,” he said. He said RAK was a good experience for him considering he is not a half marathon runner.

“I used RAK as part of my speed work and build-up ahead of the big task in Boston and it was a great experience finishing second,” said Korir

Korir finished fourth in the Chicago Marathon, where he clocked 2:05:09. The late Kelvin Kiptum won the race in a world marathon record time of  2:00.35 followed by Benson Kipruto (2:04:02), and Dutch runner  Bashir Abdi (2:04:32). 

Korir will be making his third appearance at the Boston Marathon after debuting in 2022 when he finished third in 2:05.01 behind Benson Kipruto (2:04.24) and Ethiopia's Seif Tura (2:04.49).

“Last year, the Boston Marathon was too tough but I want to try my luck this year,” he said.

Korir, just like his brother Wesley, is remembered for winning the LA Marathon twice in a row. Wesley won in 2009 and retained the title in 2010 while the junior Korir won in 2021 before defending the title in 2022.