Tokyo Marathon 2025: Ethiopian Sweep as Takele & Kebede Claim Titles
ELITE & INDUSTRY NEWS
TOKYO, JAPAN — March 2, 2025
Featured Image Credit of Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede: © YUICHI YAMAZAKI/Pool via REUTERS
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon, the first of the World Marathon Majors in 2025, showcased dominant performances across all elite divisions. Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede claimed the standard marathon titles, while Japan’s Tomoki Suzuki and Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner won the wheelchair races.
Ethiopian Sweep and Rising Weather Effects
Under cool, spring-like conditions, the Tokyo Marathon attracted nearly 37,800 runners. The elite fields delivered tight competition on both the men’s and women’s sides, with both winning athletes achieving times that led world rankings early in the year. Wheelchair racers also proved strong, with defending champions Suzuki and Debrunner holding off fierce challenges.
Takele’s First Major Victory: Bold, Late Move
Tadese Takele executed a decisive surge around 38 km, breaking free from fellow Ethiopians Deresa Geleta and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich. He crossed in 2:03:23 — a personal best by one second — sealing his first World Major Marathon win. Geleta followed in 2:03:51, with Kipkemoi third in 2:04:00.
Men’s Leading Results (Standard Marathon)
Tadese Takele (ETH): 2:03:23
Deresa Geleta (ETH): 2:03:51
Vincent Kipkemoi (KEN): 2:04:00
Kebede’s Wire-to-Wire Mastery
Sutume Asefa Kebede defended her title with authority, running a wire-to-wire race to finish in 2:16:31. Winfridah Moraa Moseti (KEN) closed in for second in 2:16:56, and Hawi Feysa (ETH) took third with 2:17:00. Kebede became the first woman to win Tokyo back-to-back.
Women’s Leading Results (Standard Marathon)
Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH): 2:16:31
Winfridah Moraa Moseti (KEN): 2:16:56
Hawi Feysa (ETH): 2:17:00
Suzuki & Debrunner: Wheelchair Champions Hold Fast
In the men’s wheelchair race, Tomoki Suzuki of Japan successfully defended his title with a sharp performance, clocking 1:19:14. He was followed by China's Luo Xing (1:30:28) and Zhang Ying (1:30:57). On the women’s side, Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland won in 1:35:56, with Susannah Scaroni (USA) taking second (1:36:28) and Zhou Zhaoqian (CHN) rounding out third (1:37:46).
Wheelchair Leading Results
Men
Tomoki Suzuki (JPN): 1:19:14
Luo Xing (CHN): 1:30:28
Zhang Ying (CHN): 1:30:57
Women
Catherine Debrunner (SUI): 1:35:56
Susannah Scaroni (USA): 1:36:28
Zhou Zhaoqian (CHN): 1:37:46
Tokyo Sets the Tone for 2025
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon laid the foundation for the year’s Majors with standout performances: Takele’s arrival among elite winners, Kebede’s steady leadership, Suzuki’s and Debrunner’s continued wheelchair excellence. As the Majors season moves forward, Tokyo’s depth and drama have raised the bar for what’s to come.