2026 Tokyo Marathon: Streaming and Broadcast Info
The World Marathon Majors kicks off with the Tokyo Marathon this weekend. On Sunday, March 1, Japan’s premier marathon will deliver the perfect long-distance runners to the capital metropolis.
Expect to see returning champions battle to defend their titles plus a possible file chase from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office to Tokyo Station.
Here is the whole lot it is advisable know, together with broadcast data and elite storylines, heading into the race.
How to Watch the 2026 Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo is 14 hours forward for individuals who stay on the east coast of the US, which implies you possibly can watch the race stay on Saturday evening. The Tokyo Marathon might be streamed stay on FloTrack beginning at 7 pm EST on February 28, with a replay accessible after the occasion.
What to Watch on the Tokyo Marathon
On the lads’s facet, Tadese Takele will intention to repeat as champion after a breakthrough efficiency in Tokyo final yr. In 2025, the Ethiopian will win his first World Marathon Major in 2:03:23dropping Deresa Geleta and Vincent Ngetich within the last 5K to knock over a minute off their private greatest.
After dropping out of the marathon on the 2025 World Athletics Championships final summer season, Takele returns to Japan in search of redemption. On Sunday, his greatest challengers will probably be Timothy Kiplagat, Alexander Mutiso, Milkesa Mengesha, and Ngetich.
Kiplagat has the quickest private greatest within the discipline after ending second in 2:02:55 on the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, the identical race by which Benson Kipruto broke the course file with a commanding win in 2:02:16. With seven athletes that maintain private bests below 2:04, the lads’s elite discipline may put the course file in jeopardy this weekend.
Mutiso received the 2024 London Marathon and was third in final yr’s version of the race. He additionally got here inside seconds of successful the 2025 New York City Marathon within the fall.
Mengesha heads to Tokyo after successful the Shanghai Marathon in November, and Ngetich has positioned third within the final two iterations of the Tokyo Marathon.
Also, regulate Selemon Barega, the gold medalist within the 10,000 meters on the 2020 Tokyo Games. Last yr, Barega received his marathon debut in 2:05:15 in Seville.
The ladies’s race options the return of defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede (above). Last yr, the runner from Ethiopia repeated as champion by main from the gun all the best way to the end. Kebede received in 2:16:31, simply 36 seconds off the course file (2:15:55) she set whereas successful the race in 2024.
Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei will intention for her second Tokyo title 5 years after successful the crown in 2021. Kosgei not too long ago received the Shanghai Marathon in 2:16:36.
Fresh off a stellar season, Hawi Feysa might be one other athlete to observe. In October, she received the Chicago Marathon in 2:14:57greater than two minutes quicker than her earlier private greatest. Early on in her marathon profession, she’s already No. 7 on the world all-time checklist within the occasion.
Rosemary Wanjiru is one other sturdy podium contender after successful the Berlin Marathon final yr. She received Tokyo in 2023 and completed runner-up in 2024.
Plus, regulate American Sara Hall, who’s operating sturdy, now as masters standout. The former American record-holder might be competing in Tokyo lower than two months after ending second in 2:26:26 on the Houston Marathon.
For the previous decade, Taylor has reported on sports activities, well being, and wellness for main health publications together with Runner’s World, SELF, Bicyclingand Outside. She’s additionally a podcast host and movie producer targeted on amplifying the tales of girls and different underrepresented communities in endurance sports activities. When she’s not writing, you possibly can normally discover her operating—or consuming breakfast tacos together with her household in Austin, Texas.
