Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi delivered a strong performance at the Tokyo Marathon, securing third place in a highly competitive race on Sunday, March 2. Kipkemoi clocked 2:04:00, finishing behind Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, who claimed victory in 2:03:23, and Deresa Geleta, who took second place in 2:03:51.
Kipkemoi was part of the leading pack from the early stages of the race, staying in contention alongside Takele, Geleta, and Kenya’s defending champion Benson Kipruto. The group set an aggressive pace, covering the first 5km in 14:25, as they battled for dominance on the streets of Tokyo.
At the 30km mark, Kipkemoi, Takele, and Geleta began to break away from the rest, setting up a thrilling three-way contest for the title. However, with just over 4km to go, Takele made his decisive move, increasing his pace and leaving Kipkemoi and Geleta trailing behind.
Despite falling behind the Ethiopian duo, Kipkemoi held his ground to secure a podium finish, clocking a personal best time of 2:04:00. His performance reaffirmed Kenya’s presence among the world’s elite marathon runners.
Meanwhile, Kipruto, the 2023 champion, struggled to keep up with the leading group after the 28km mark and eventually finished seventh in 2:05:46. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, running only his second marathon, placed ninth with a time of 2:05:59.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti also delivered a strong performance, finishing second in 2:16:56, just 25 seconds behind Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who defended her title in 2:16:31.
Kipkemoi’s impressive run in Tokyo adds to his growing reputation in marathon racing, as he continues to challenge the dominance of Ethiopian athletes on the global stage.
A Rising Force in Marathon Running
Kipkemoi’s podium finish in Tokyo adds to his remarkable achievements, following his standout performance at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. In his debut in Berlin, he stunned the field by finishing second in 2:03:13, trailing only Kenya’s marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. His ability to challenge elite runners so early in his career positions him as one of Kenya’s brightest marathon prospects.
Kipchoge himself, regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time, has acknowledged the rise of new talents like Kipkemoi. Speaking after his Berlin victory, Kipchoge emphasized that many young athletes have immense potential and that the future of long-distance running remains highly competitive.
“I think the world actually has a lot of talent… that’s what I learned. Talent is there… it’s only to execute, train well, love the sport, and make sure the world is united so we can have a conducive environment to train,” Kipchoge said after the Berlin race.
