Ethiopian Lilesa captures Tokyo Marathon

Lilesa kicked for home with around two kilometres (1.25 miles) to go and clocked 2:06:56 under sunny skies to claim his first major marathon title.

Published : Feb 28, 2016 13:29 IST , Tokyo

Feyisa Lilesa is a former world bronze medallist.
Feyisa Lilesa is a former world bronze medallist.
lightbox-info

Feyisa Lilesa is a former world bronze medallist.

Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa stormed to victory in the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday after a devastating late burst of pace left Kenyan rival Dickson Chumba for dead.

Lilesa, a former world bronze medallist, kicked for home with around two kilometres (1.25 miles) to go and clocked 2:06:56 under sunny skies to claim his first major marathon title.

Two years ago, Chumba won the Tokyo race — one of the six majors on the marathon circuit — but he had no answer to Lilesa's late surge and eventually took third after being caught by fellow Kenyan Kiprop Kipyego with the finish line in sight.

Kenyan Helah Kiprop won the women's race in a time of 2:21:27 ahead of Ethiopia's Birhane Dibaba, the defending Tokyo champion.

More than 36,000 took part in the 10th edition of the race which winds through the streets of Tokyo, including thousands of fun runners in fancy dress.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment