Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir added another crown to her glittering career by winning the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. She crossed the line in 2:24:43, edging out Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa in a thrilling sprint finish.
Jepchirchir, already an Olympic champion from Sapporo 2021, showed her experience in brutal conditions of heat and humidity. The race began with an unexpected breakaway from American runner Susanna Sullivan, who led solo for nearly 90 minutes before fading. Once the pack reeled her in, it became a showdown between the East African giants.
Assefa, the Ethiopian marathon record-holder, pushed hard in the closing stages. But Jepchirchir stayed composed, shadowing her stride for stride. Inside the Tokyo stadium, with just 100 metres to go, she unleashed her decisive kick to claim gold, leaving Assefa with silver. Uruguay’s Julia Paternain ran a remarkable race for bronze, securing her nation’s first-ever medal at a World Championships.
This victory is not just another title for Jepchirchir — it cements her legacy as one of the finest marathoners of her generation. For Kenya, it underscores continued dominance in road running, while Ethiopia once again demonstrated its formidable depth in distance races.
Looking ahead, Jepchirchir’s form suggests she remains the favourite for global majors and a strong contender for Kenya’s Olympic defence next year. For Africa, her triumph reinforces the continent’s grip on endurance events and sets the stage for more medals as the championships progress.
