Marathon Maestro Eliud Kipchoge Returns to Tokyo in Epic Showdown.

In a highly anticipated comeback, marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge is poised to grace the Tokyo Marathon stage on Sunday, March 3rd, marking a momentous return to the Japanese grounds where he last clinched an Olympic gold and held the world record.

However stakes are high as Kipchoge faces a transformed landscape, with the late Kiptum having smashed his record and relegating him to the second-fastest marathoner with a time of 2:02:40.

The Tokyo Marathon hereby serves as a crucial litmus test for Kipchoge's Olympic preparations, as he aims to harness the momentum for his fifth and final Olympics in Paris. Rewinding to 2003 in his debut at the senior kenya team at the Paris World Championships, a teenage Kipchoge outpaced the then legends of Kenenisa Bekele; Hicham El Guerrouj, and compatriot Abraham Chebii, claiming the gold medal for Kenya.

Now at 39 years old, Kipchoge, hailed as the "Greatest Of All Time" (GOAT), remains a formidable favorite, eyeing a career-defining 11th-year win. Having triumphed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, Kipchoge fulfills his promise of a return, setting the stage for a showdown in a city where he previously set the course record in 2021.

The men's elite competition boasts an illustrious lineup, featuring Kenyan contenders;

Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, Timothy Kiplagat, and Benson Kipruto. The Ethiopian challenge comes strong with Hailemaryam Kiros, Andualem Belay, Tsegaye Getachew, and Chalu Deso. Representing the USA is Victor Kiplangat. The Japanese contingent includes Kengo Suzuki, Ichitaka Tamashita, Kenya Sonota, Kyohei Hosoya, Kazuya Nishiyama, and Yohei Ikeda.

In the women's race, the spotlight shines on Dutch star Sifan Hassan, reigning champion of both the London and Chicago Marathons. Amane Beriso, World Champion, and Rosemary Wanjiru, the 2023 Tokyo Marathon winner, add layers of intensity to an already thrilling competition. Other notable women participants include Amane Beriso Shankule, Tigist Abacyechew, Sutume Asefa Kebede, Buzunesh Getachew, Meseret Abebayahau, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter from Israel, and Magdalena Shauri from Tanzania.

Broadcast to over 160 countries, the Tokyo Marathon promises a global spectacle. In Europe, viewers can catch the action on Eurosport and Canal+, reaching over 63 countries. For the U.S. and Canada audience, Flo Sports provides live coverage, while Great Sports Media broadcasts the event in the Republic of China. ESPN International takes charge in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Brazil, spanning 47 countries and territories.

Set in Japan Standard Time (JST, GMT+9), the marathon schedule unfolds with the Wheelchair Marathon and 10.7km Race at 9:05 am, building up to the Men's and Women's Marathon at 9:10 am.

As the GOAT returns to Tokyo, the marathon narrative promises a gripping spectacle, setting the stage for Kipchoge's pursuit of glory in his final Olympic journey in Paris. The world watches as the marathon legend embarks on another chapter of his illustrious career, with Tokyo as the backdrop to a tale of resilience, rivalry, and triumph.