Four Down, Two to Go - Eliud Kipchoge

Kipchoge has now won four of the six Abbott World Major Marathon titles having won in London, Berlin, Chicago and now Tokyo as he sets focus on the remaining two, Chicago and Boston Marathons.

Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line to win the men’s category in the Tokyo Marathon 2021 in Tokyo on March 6, 2022. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI and KAZUHIRO NOGI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“I am so proud to win in the streets of Tokyo, where the people have running in their hearts and minds. After winning my second Olympic Gold medal in Japan last summer, I returned to Tokyo to run a strong race. And this is what I meant with a strong race, 2:02 victory and new course record. I’m proud to now have won 4 out of the 6 Abbott World Marathon Major races.

Kipchoge has now won four of the six Abbott World Major Marathon titles

Finally, I want to say I want this world to unite. If there are differences I want us to meet and speak, not fight. My win today is to bring positivity in this world,” Kipchoge posted on his Facebook page after the victory.

Kenya’s Amos Kipruto (L) and his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge (R) react after their finishing the men’s category in the Tokyo Marathon in Tokyo on March 6, 2022. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI and KAZUHIRO NOGI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Another Kenyan in Amos Kipruto- marathon bronze medallist at the 2019 World championships in Doha who had led the race till the 35km mark crossed the line in second place with a time of 2:03:13 while Ethiopia’s Tola Tamirat- Marathon silver medallist at the 2017 World championships in London finished third in a time of 2:04:14.

Brigid Kosgei of Kenya crosses the line to win the men’s elite race at the Tokyo Marathon 2021 in Tokyo on March 6, 2022. (Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON / various sources / AFP) (Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP via Getty Images)

In the women’s race world record holder and Olympic silver medallist, Bridgid Kosgei crossed the line in 2:16:02, the third-fastest marathon in history while also setting a new course record in Japan.

She beat the 2019 Berlin Marathon Champions Ashete Bekere and Gotytom Gebreslase who clocked 2:17:58 and 2:18:18 to claim second and third place respectively.