In a historic and thrilling finish at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu clinched the men’s marathon gold in Tokyo with a breathtaking dip at the finish line, edging out Germany’s Amanal Petros in a photo finish.
The intense race saw both Simbu and Petros clocking in at 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds, creating the closest men’s marathon finish ever witnessed at a world championship event.
Adding to the drama was Italy’s Iliass Aouani, who secured the bronze with a time of 2:09:53, rounding off the podium in a fiercely competitive field of 88 athletes from 47 countries who tackled the challenging 26-mile course through the streets of Tokyo.
However, the scorching morning conditions took a toll on several competitors, including Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Deresa Geleta, both unable to finish the race after showing promising performances in the Tokyo Marathon earlier in the year.
Uganda’s Abel Chelangat played a pivotal role in setting the pace for much of the race, initiating a decisive breakaway at the 39.5km mark that eventually led to a lead pack of five contenders, among whom were the eventual medallists.
As the race approached its climax, the tension escalated as Chelangat and Haimro Alame lost ground, leaving Simbu, Petros, and Aouani to battle it out on the track in a nail-biting final 300 meters.
Petros initially surged ahead on the back straight, closely pursued by Simbu, a formidable competitor who had secured second place in the Boston Marathon earlier that year. Aouani trailed in third place, setting the stage for a thrilling sprint to the finish.
With Petros appearing poised for victory as he neared the finish line, Simbu unleashed a burst of energy, overtaking the German in a dramatic last-minute surge that left Petros scrambling to keep up, ultimately collapsing as Simbu crossed the line to claim the gold.
The victory marked a remarkable comeback for Simbu, who had previously secured a bronze in the 2017 edition of the championships. Meanwhile, Uganda’s defending champion, Victor Kiplangat, finished in 11th place with a time of 2:11:33.
The Tokyo Marathon not only showcased the incredible physical and mental endurance of elite athletes but also underscored the unpredictable and thrilling nature of competitive long-distance running, leaving spectators and participants alike on the edge of their seats until the very last second.
📰 Related Articles
- Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu Secures Historic Gold at Tokyo Marathon
- Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Marathon: Gold Label Excellence
- Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2025 Unites Global Running Community
- Tokyo Marathon 2025: Record-Breaking Wins and Exciting Future
- Taiwan’s Tang Chia-hung Seizes Gold at 2025 Asian Championships