Ethiopia's Birhanu Legese wins Tokyo marathon

Ethiopian Birhanu Legese cruised to victory at the Tokyo marathon on Sunday, winning in a time of two hours, four minutes and 48 seconds in miserable conditions to claim his first major title.

The 24-year-old was part of a small leading group for the first 30 kilometres before pulling away easily from runnerup Kenyan Bedan Karoki (2:06:48) and strolling to victory.

Karoki’s compatriot Dickson Chumba, twice a winner in Tokyo, was third.

With rain lashing down for much of a frigid morning, it was never likely to be a fast race.

Japan fancied their chances of a homegrown male victory for the first time since 2010 but Suguru Osako, who set a new Japanese national record in October, struggled to stay with the leading group and pulled out with an injury 30 kilometres in.

The 27-year-old, touted as Japan’s best hope of delivering Olympic marathon gold when Tokyo hosts the Games in 2020, was distraught as he limped from the route.

Ethiopian Ruti Aga won the women’s race in a time of 2:20:40, edging out compatriot Helen Tola by 21 seconds.

Ethiopians have now won the women’s marathon in Tokyo in six of the last eight editions.

Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia won the 2019 #TokyoMarathon on Sunday in the men’s race with a time of 2.04:48. Ruti Aga came in first in the women’s race with a time of 2.20:40…#247RUNNING#winners #results pic.twitter.com/StKGYHoMq3

— #247RUNNING (@247running) March 3, 2019

◆ Tokyo Marathon Men’s Champion: Birhanu LEGESE (?? Ethiopia) 02:04:48
“I’m very happy. I want to thank the people of Tokyo. Though the weather was bad, their kindness affected my performance. The course was good, and if the weather was better I might have broken 02:03:00.” pic.twitter.com/xzZoFfDR8N

— Tokyo Marathon Foundation (@TokyoMarathon_E) March 3, 2019

REUTERS