Tokyo Marathon 2026: Star-Studded Elite Fields Poised for Historic Record Assault

As the Tokyo Marathon prepares to celebrate its landmark 20th anniversary, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be a historic assault on the record books.

The Race Director has made his intentions clear, aiming to leverage Tokyo’s reputation as one of the world's fastest courses to bring a new world record within reach.

While the elements remain the only variable beyond human control, the selection of this year’s elite field suggests a race built to withstand any challenge.

The men’s field is headlined by a quartet of global superstars capable of pushing the pace well under the current competition record of 2:02:16. Alexander Munyao Mutiso, the 2024 London Marathon champion, will finally make his long-awaited Tokyo debut.

Munyao is a familiar face to Japanese fans through his time with the ND Soft corporate team and enters with a formidable personal best of 2:03:11.

He will face a motivated Timothy Kiplagat, who finished second in Tokyo in 2024 with a blistering 2:02:55. After a difficult outing in Chicago last year, Kiplagat is reportedly seeking redemption and has set his sights squarely on the course record.

They are joined by defending champion Tadese Takele, the 23-year-old Ethiopian prodigy who proved his dominance last year, and Milkesa Mengesha, the 2024 Berlin winner who arrives in peak form after a victory in Shanghai.

A significant ‘wild card’ in the pack is Selemon Barega, the 10,000m Gold Medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Barega’s speed is undisputed, and after winning the 2025 Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon, officials hope his full marathon transition in Tokyo will mark his ascent to the very top of the distance-running world.

For domestic fans, the 2026 field offers an unprecedented level of depth. Suguru Osako leads the charge, coming off a fresh Japanese record of 2:04:55 set in Valencia just months ago.

He will be challenged by former record-holder Kengo Suzuki, who recently announced a move to professional status and is training in a "determined environment" to reclaim his peak form.

The domestic battle will also feature World Championship standout Ryota Kondo and 2025 top Japanese finisher Tsubasa Ichiyama, alongside Paris Olympian Naoki Koyama.

Adding a layer of intrigue is Aoi Ota, whose courageous 42.195km debut last year earned him a reputation for ambitious, front-running tactics.

The women’s race is equally stacked, with Sutume Asefa Kebede returning to defend her title and chase a historic third consecutive victory.

Kebede, who set the current competition record of 2:15:55, knows the Tokyo course better than perhaps anyone in the field.

She faces a monumental challenge from Hawi Feysa, whose 2:14:57 win in Chicago last year stands as one of the fastest times in history. Also returning are former world record holder Brigid Kosgei and 2025 Berlin winner Rosemary Wanjiru, ensuring a four-way battle that could see the course record shattered.

In a poignant subplot, Japanese favourite Ai Hosoda will run her final professional race. Refusing to treat the event as a mere commemoration, Hosoda has declared her intent to finish her career with a new personal best.