Kenya’s Benson Kipruto pulled away from the pack to win gold in the men’s marathon at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. He broke the men’s course record with a blistering time of 2:02:16.
Kipruto’s time also shattered the previous men’s Tokyo Marathon course record of 2:02:40 set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2021.
Kipruto’s male compatriots Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich followed 39 seconds and 1:43 behind to claim silver and bronze for Kenya.
The victory adds to Kipruto’s previous men’s marathon wins in Boston 2021 and Chicago 2022. His finishing time was nearly two minutes faster than his personal best, making him the fifth fastest male marathoner ever in a World Athletics certified event.
Pre-race men’s favorite Kipchoge ended up 10th this time in 2:06:50. At age 39, he struggled to maintain the pace after halfway and could not contend with the 32-year-old Kipruto.
Kipruto’s breakthrough run asserts his status as the world’s top male marathoner right now. More gold medals over 26.2 seem likely given this phenomenal form.
