The World Marathon Majors kicks off with the Tokyo Marathon this weekend. On Sunday, March 1, Japan’s premier marathon will bring the best long-distance runners to the capital city.
Expect to see returning champions battle to defend their titles plus a potential record chase from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office to Tokyo Station.
Here is everything you need to know, including broadcast information and elite storylines, heading into the race.
How to Watch the 2026 Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo is 14 hours ahead for those who live on the east coast of the U.S., which means you can watch the race live on Saturday night. The Tokyo Marathon will be streamed live on FloTrack starting at 7 p.m. EST on February 28, with a replay available after the event.
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What to Watch at the Tokyo Marathon
On the men’s side, Tadese Takele will aim to repeat as champion after a breakthrough performance in Tokyo last year. In 2025, the Ethiopian won his first World Marathon Major in 2:03:23, dropping Deresa Geleta and Vincent Ngetich in the final 5K to knock over a minute off his personal best.
After dropping out of the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships last summer, Takele returns to Japan seeking redemption. On Sunday, his biggest challengers will likely be Timothy Kiplagat, Alexander Mutiso, Milkesa Mengesha, and Ngetich.
Kiplagat has the fastest personal best in the field after finishing second in 2:02:55 at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, the same race in which Benson Kipruto broke the course record with a commanding win in 2:02:16. With seven athletes that hold personal bests under 2:04, the men’s elite field could put the course record in jeopardy this weekend.
Mutiso won the 2024 London Marathon and was third in last year’s edition of the race. He also came within seconds of winning the 2025 New York City Marathon in the fall.
Mengesha heads to Tokyo after winning the Shanghai Marathon in November, and Ngetich has placed third in the last two iterations of the Tokyo Marathon.
Also, keep an eye on Selemon Barega, the gold medalist in the 10,000 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Last year, Barega won his marathon debut in 2:05:15 in Seville.
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The women’s race features the return of defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede (above). Last year, the runner from Ethiopia repeated as champion by leading from the gun all the way to the finish. Kebede won in 2:16:31, just 36 seconds off the course record (2:15:55) she set while winning the race in 2024.
Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei will aim for her second Tokyo title five years after winning the crown in 2021. Kosgei recently won the Shanghai Marathon in 2:16:36.
Fresh off a stellar season, Hawi Feysa will be another athlete to watch. In October, she won the Chicago Marathon in 2:14:57, more than two minutes faster than her previous personal best. Early on in her marathon career, she’s already No. 7 on the world all-time list in the event.
Rosemary Wanjiru is another strong podium contender after winning the Berlin Marathon last year. She won Tokyo in 2023 and finished runner-up in 2024.
Plus, keep an eye on American Sara Hall, who is running strong, now as masters standout. The former American record-holder will be competing in Tokyo less than two months after finishing second in 2:26:26 at the Houston Marathon.
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For the past decade, Taylor has reported on sports, health, and wellness for leading fitness publications including Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, and Outside. She’s also a podcast host and film producer focused on amplifying the stories of women and other underrepresented communities in endurance sports. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her running—or eating breakfast tacos with her family in Austin, Texas.
