Ethiopians Takele and Kebede sweep men's, women's top spots in Tokyo Marathon

Ethiopians Tadese Takele and Sutume Kebede won their divisions of the Tokyo Marathon on a nearly perfect spring day in the Japanese capital.

Takele won on the men's side in a personal-best time of two hours three minutes 23 seconds. Countryman Deresa Geleta was second in 2:03:51 with third for Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich of Kenya in 2:04:00.

On the women's side, Kebede led from start to finish to win her second straight Tokyo Marathon. She finished in 2:16:31 followed by Winfridah Moraa Moseti of Kenya in 2:16:56 and Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia in 2:17:00.

Kebede set a Japanese all-comers' record of 2:15:55 in last year's race.

The top Japanese in the men's race was Tubasa Ichiyama, finishing 10th in 2:06:00. In the women's race the top Japanese runner was Yuka Ando, also in 10th in a time of 2:23:37.

No Canadians were entered in the elite men's and women's races.

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei, who set world records on the track over 5,000 and 10,000 metres, told reporters Friday he is "totally done" running on the track.

The 28-year-old's track career featured two Olympic gold and one silver while adding four world championship medals in the 10,000m.

Cheptegei sets personal best

Cheptegei debuted in the marathon in 2023, placing 37th in Valencia in 2:08:59.

Cheptegei also told reporters his goal for Sunday was to keep pace with Benson Kipruto of Kenya, the men's defending champion and Paris 2024 bronze medallist, and try to set a new PB.

He accomplished both, placing ninth in 2:05:56, two spots and 12-100ths of a second behind Kipruto.

Also Sunday, Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain clocked 2:57:26 in her first competitive marathon in 10 years.

The 51-year-old former world record holder will also run Boston next month and is aiming to complete all six major marathons.

Radcliffe ended her professional career at the 2015 London Marathon.