Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Stephen Kissa will take on a world-class field at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday March 2, as they look to make a mark in one of the most competitive marathons on the global calendar.
Cheptegei, the reigning world record-holder in the 5000m and 10,000m, returns to the marathon distance for only the second time in his career.
His debut in Valencia in 2023 saw him clock 2:08:59, a solid start but far from his dominance on the track.
Tokyo presents an opportunity for the Ugandan star to improve on that time and prove he can be a serious contender over 42.195km.
Kissa, on the other hand, is no stranger to marathon success.
The 2:04:48 runner is Uganda’s national record-holder and has established himself as a strong performer on the roads.
His experience over the distance will be crucial as he faces a deep field featuring six sub-2:04 runners, including Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, who set a Japanese all-comers’ record of 2:02:16 last year.
While Kipruto will aim to defend his title, Cheptegei and Kissa will be out to upset the favorites and put Uganda on the podium.
With both runners known for their endurance and tactical awareness, their performances will be closely watched as they take on some of the best marathoners in the world.
The Tokyo Marathon is part of the World Athletics Platinum Label road race series and serves as an important test for athletes ahead of major championships later in the year.
