【Report】Elite Race

The Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024 started under relatively fair conditions despite the rain with temperatures at 18.2 Degrees Celsius and humidity at 57.5%.

In the elite field, Amos Kurgat (Kenya, Chudenko) won with a time of 59:52, breaking the course record of 1:00:10 set by Vincent Kipkemoi (Kenya) at the inaugural race by 18 seconds. Kurgat ran through the streets of Tokyo setting an astounding course record. He shared with a smile. “Today’s race was good. The wind bothered me somewhat, but I am satisfied with the result.”

Bedan Karoki (Kenya, Toyota Motors) led the race at a high pace immediately after the race started, and the leading pack passed the 5km mark in 14:06. Kurgat picked up speed and pulled away from the group soon after. He ran the 5km to 10km lap in 13:42, leaving the rest of the runners behind. It was a solo trip from this point, with a 50 second lead over Karoki who was in second place at the 15km mark, giving Kurgat a huge lead. While his pace slowed somewhat from the 17km mark with the incline, he took large strides as he entered the Japan National Stadium to a dashing finish. He seemed to be fulfilled with the new course record and commented, “it was very, very good”. He set a personal best of 58:47 at the Copenhagen Half Marathon last month, and he has demonstrated his capabilities yet again.

Karoki, who ran consistently to the end, finished with a time of 1:00:38 to place second, while Paul Kuira (Kenya, JR East) came in third at 1:00:49.

Yusuke Nishiyama (Toyota Motors) led the Japanese runners with a time of 1:01:13 placing eighth. He stayed close to the high paced Kenyan runners from the start for a bold performance. Having run under his target time of 1:02:00, he shared convincingly having given his all. “My body moved really well, and I was able to run better than I thought. What I’ve been doing was not wrong.” His next big goal is to be the representative of Japan in the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 marathon team. Having run briskly through the same course in Tokyo, he shared his vision of doing well next year and commented. “I think I’m on a streak.”

In the elite women’s field, Loice Chemnung (Kenya), who is in Japan for the first time, maintained a fast pace from the beginning to win the race with a time of 1:07:27. Having won with a new course record following the men’s new record, Chemnung seemed to have truly enjoyed the ambience of Tokyo. “I’m happy to have set a new course record. This course is perfect.”

Chemnung had great momentum from the start and passed the 5km mark with a time of 15:47. At this point, she already had a 1:00 lead on Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh (Mongolia) who was in second place, setting off on a solo run. She further expanded her lead for a convincing win with a more than 4:00 lead over the second place finisher.

Mao Kiyota (SUZUKI) led the Japanese women placing second with a time of 1:11:29. She reflected on the race. “I was disappointed after the first Tokyo Legacy Half because I placed fourth. While I wasn’t able to achieve my target time, I’m glad to have reached my minimum goal of making it to the podium.”

Galbadrakh, who represented Mongolia at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, slowed her pace in the second half and finished third with a time of 1:12:12.

Race Director Yasuhiro Oshima reviewed the race and commented. “In the men’s field, Kenyan runners who reside in Japan led with Kurgat pulling ahead and winning with a course record under 60 minutes despite the wind and the impact of the incline in the second half. We are hopeful that runners who can set new records will participate in our future race.” He applauded both men and women for setting new course records and commented about the women’s race. “Chemnung seems to like Tokyo. She has said that she wants to challenge the course again next year because it was good for running. Although the course may not have been challenging enough considering her ability, she broke the (course) record.”

Runners were smiling afterwards. Everyone truly appreciated the fun and joy of running at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024.