The 2025 World Marathon Majors will begin this weekend. On Sunday, March 2, the 2025 Tokyo Marathon will kick off the premier road racing series. With the return of defending champions and former world record-holders, the 18th edition of the race is set to be a must-watch.
Since Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Eastern Time, the event will take place on the evening of Saturday, March 1 for viewers in North America.
From broadcast information to elite storylines, here’s everything you need to know about the first of seven annual Marathon Majors.
How to Watch the 2025 Tokyo Marathon
For those in the U.S. and Canada, you can watch the Tokyo Marathon live on FloTrack at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2. The wheelchair races start at 7:05 p.m. ET and the marathon runners follow at 7:10 p.m. ET.
What to Watch
Men’s Race
A year after winning the men’s race in 2:02:16, a new course record, Benson Kipruto of Kenya is returning to defend his crown. In 2024, the 33-year-old ran in a pack that went out at world record pace, covering the first 5K in 14:16. Kipruto fell off the lead pack around the 27K mark, but he caught up and broke away not long after 35K. Kipruto then added a bronze medal to his name at the Paris Olympic Games marathon.
His biggest challenger will likely be Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda. The world record-holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters is navigating a transition to the marathon after an incredible track career, which included Olympic gold in the 5,000 meters at the 2021 Tokyo Games as well as the 10,000 meters in Paris last summer. The Tokyo Marathon will be the 28-year-old’s second 26.2 after making his debut at the 2023 Valencia Marathon in 2:08:59.
Also, keep an eye out for Deresa Geleta up front. The 28-year-old from Ethiopia finished second in a 2:02:38 personal best at the 2024 Valencia Marathon in December, four months after placing fifth in the marathon at the Olympics.
For Japanese elites, there’s even more on the line this weekend. The Tokyo Marathon will serve as the qualifying race for the national team heading to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this summer.
Women’s Race
Three past champions are making a comeback to chase this year’s title in the women’s race. Last year, Sutume Asefa Kebede shattered the course record in 2:15:55 by ratcheting the pace down until she was running solo with 2K to go. Winning her first World Marathon Major, the 30-year-old from Ethiopia improved on the previous course record (2:16:02) set by Brigid Kosgei in 2021. Can she defend her crown against three rivals who’ve all broken 2:16:15?
Kosgei, the former world record-holder from Kenya, is also returning to Tokyo for her first 26.2 since placing fifth at the 2024 London Marathon. Her countrywoman Rosemary Wanjiru placed second in last year’s Tokyo Marathon after winning in 2023. Both athletes will be looking to top the podium once again on Sunday.
Tigist Ketema will be another athlete to watch after executing a stellar transition to 26.2 last year. The 26-year-old from Ethiopia won the 2024 Dubai Marathon in 2:16:07, the fastest debut marathon in history. The former 800-meter specialist followed the title with another victory eight months later at the 2024 Berlin Marathon, where she dominated the race in 2:16:42.
You also don’t want to miss the return of Paula Radcliffe. A decade after retiring from professional running, the former world record-holder is coming back to the event at the age of 51. Radcliffe is scheduled to compete in the Tokyo and Boston marathons this spring. Once she completes the events, the British runner will become a six star finisher, a distinction awarded to those who’ve completed every race in the World Marathon Majors series.
Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.
