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After nearly a year away from competition, Uganda’s long-distance sensation Joshua Cheptegei is set to make his much-anticipated 2025 season debut at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 2.
The two-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m distances transitioned to the marathon last year, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. Now, he will be aiming for his first major road race victory in what is expected to be a highly competitive field.
A New Challenge on the Road
Cheptegei made his marathon debut at the 2023 Valencia Marathon, where he clocked an impressive 2:08:59. While it was a respectable start, he will be looking to improve his time in Tokyo, a race renowned for its fast course and dominance by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners.
Stephen Kissa joins Joshua Cheptegei in Tokyo for the Marathon (Courtesy Photo)
Joining him in the Tokyo showdown is fellow Ugandan Stephen Kissa, an experienced marathoner known for his pacing abilities in elite races. Kissa holds Uganda’s national marathon record of 2:04:48, which he set at the 2022 Hamburg Marathon.
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Elite Competition Awaits
The Ugandan duo will face stiff competition, including:
- Defending champion Benson Kipruto (Kenya) – winner of the 2024 Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:02:16.
- Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, another strong contender in the elite field
Both Cheptegei and Kissa have already arrived in Tokyo, where they are fine-tuning their preparations for what promises to be an electrifying race.
Joshua Cheptegei and Stephen Kissa arriving in Tokyo.
With Cheptegei still adjusting to the demands of the 42.2km marathon distance, all eyes will be on how he performs against some of the world’s best long-distance runners. His performance in Tokyo could set the tone for what lies ahead in his road-running career and his potential bid for World Championships and Olympic marathon success.
