Eliud Kipchoge’s main challengers at 2024 Tokyo Marathon

All eyes will be firmly fixed on the 2024 Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 3 as some of the world’s best runners battle it out for the top prize. 

Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge is the main attraction in the race which is among the six Abbott World Marathon Majors.

This will be the first time that the legendary athlete takes the road after his success in the 2023 BMW Berlin Marathon. 

Kipchoge entered the record books in the streets of Berlin when broke the tape at 2:02:42 to win his fifth title.

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More than six months after that incredible feat, the 39-year-old travels to Japan seeking to secure his second Tokyo Marathon title.

According to Kipchoge, he wants to use the Tokyo Marathon to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I have good memories in Tokyo, I won my Olympic gold medal there and I ran the course record in the Tokyo marathon.

My aim was to set the course record and it was great to achieve that. I feel good working towards my next race in Tokyo and or me it is the perfect preparation towards my aim to win a third consecutive Olympic title next summer in Paris,” he was quoted by the organizers. 

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However, Sunday’s race will not be a walk in the park for Kipchoge due to the presence of other good runners who have the potential to beat anyone. 

SportPesa News takes a look at four athletes who have what it takes to stop the Kaptagat-based runner in Tokyo.

Benson Kipruto

Two-time Abbott World Marathon Majors winner Benson Kipruto is the man to watch on the streets of Tokyo on Sunday.

Kipruto has already won the Chicago and Boston Marathon titles and will be seeking to beat Kipchoge and add the Tokyo Marathon title to his name.

The 32-year-old has also registered a podium place finish at the Boston Marathon twice, which makes him a strong contender on Sunday. 

The man who left his kiosk job several years ago to try his luck in running has a personal best of 2:04.02 which he set in Chicago in 2023. 

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Vincent Kipkemoi

Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich will be Kipchoge’s primary challenger at the eagerly anticipated Tokyo Marathon.

The 25-year-old is on the verge of hitting his prime and has proven in recent years that he can deliver in major races.

Ngetich registered a second-place position behind Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, clocking a personal best time of 2:03.21 in the process.

Besides his excellent show in Germany, Kipkemoi has also managed to win a couple of races in recent past including the 2022 Tokyo Legacy and Medio Maratón de Madrid half marathons.

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Timothy Kiplagat

Another athlete who has what it takes to prevent Kipchoge from bagging his second Tokyo Marathon title is the little-known Timothy Kiplagat. 

Kiplagat set his personal best of 2:03.50 at the 2023 Rotterdam Marathon where he finished second behind Bashir Abdi.

Some of the other races the experienced runner has won in the past include the Melbourne Marathon Festival and Abu Dhabi Marathon.

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Chalu Deso

Ethiopian runner Chalu Deso has had impressive displays on the track in recent years and the stage is set for him to upset Kipchoge in Tokyo. 

At the age of 26, Deso has won a couple of races including the 2019 Maratón do Porto and 2022 Marathon de Paris. He is also the Tokyo Marathon defending champion, having secured last year’s title in 2:05.22.

Deso set his personal best of 2:04.53 at the recently held Valencia Marathon where he settled for a sixth-place finish. 

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