By Şevket F. ERBAY

Brigid Kosgei, one of the fastest female marathoners in history, clinched her sixth WMM title in Tokyo. She clocked her second fastest ever mark in a marathon when crossing the finish line in 2:14:29 - almost one and a half minute inside of the previous course record in the Japanese capital, which was set by Sutume Kebede, two-time defending champion. Kebede was accompanied by Kosgei until 7 kilometres to go, but slowed down in the last couple of kilometres and eventually lost a podium place to Hawi Feysa at the very end of the course.

Kosgei, who recently changed her allegiance to Turkey and spent her waiting period to eligibility for the LA 2028 Games, returned successfully to Tokyo, where she earned an Olympic silver medal and was crowned a winner of the city marathon seven months later.

Brigid Kosgei now has six WMM major wins, just one behind all-time leader Mary Keitany of Kenya, after winning twice in London, Chicago and Tokyo. The Kenyan also produced a 7:01 closing stage (2.195m) after she clocked fastest in the last two 5K splits with 15:47 and 15:48. The 2004-born Bertukan Welde of Ethiopia took second spot with a strong final push over her experienced rivals and finished the race with a new personal best of 2:16:36.

Chicago Marathon winner Hawi Feysa came strong to the finish as well and beat defending champion Sutume Kebede to step on the podium with a 2:17:39 clocking.

The men’s race saw a successful title defence, only the second in the race's 20-year history. Tadese Takele of Ethiopia clinched his second victory in Hibiya Park with an eye-catching 2:03:37 sprint victory over lesser-known Kenyan runner Geoffrey Toroitich, who came second with the same mark. The duo were inside a five-man breaking group in the last 5K, then sprinted out the others for the final push. Former London Marathon winner Alexander Mutiso completed the podium by only one second margin, and Daniel Mateiko finished fourth six seconds later. The first four athletes created one of the closest finishes in a World Marathon Major.

Meanwhile, former 5000m world champion Mukhtar Edris crossed the line in 2:04:07 PB, followed by world bronze medallist here six months ago, Illias Aouani, who broke the Italian record with 2:04:26.