Eliud Kipchoge set for Tokyo Marathon

By Peter Ochieng

Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge will be among athletes competing for the 2024 Tokyo marathon title.

His NN Running Team on Thursday confirmed that he will line up in Tokyo on 3rd March, 2024, with the race set to act as build up for the Paris Olympic games in August.

He is a double Olympic marathon champion, following his victories in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

If he wins the marathon title in Paris, he will be the first man in history to win three Olympic marathon gold medals.

The long distance runner holds the Tokyo marathon course record of two hours, two minutes and 40 seconds he set in 2022.

The race was to be held in 2021 but was pushed foward to 2022 due to the corona virus pandemic.

"I have good memories in Japan," said the 39-year-old Kipchoge in a video published on NN Running Team social media pages.

"I won my Olympic gold medal there and ran the course record in the Tokyo marathon," he added.

"I feel good working towards my next race in Tokyo. For me, it is the perfect preparation towards my aim to win my third consecutive Olympic title next summer in Paris."

Early this month, Kenya announced a 20-strong marathon provisional squad for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, with defending Olympic champions Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir among the headliners.

The current men's world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who ran a 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon in October, and former women's world record holder Brigid Kosgei also made the long-list.

The provisional team contains 10 men and 10 women, and will be pared down to the final list of three competing athletes, and two reserves in each event in late January, 2024.

According to Athletics Kenya's Paul Mutwii, the 20 long-listed athletes were chosen based on world ranking and performances this year in important marathon races.

"We also considered consistency, anti-doping requirements, discipline, willingness, and championship mentality and attitude of the athletes. There are those athletes who do well with pacesetters and those who don't. We have taken that into consideration too," he said.

Kenya's provisional Paris 2024 marathon team:

Men: Kelvin Kiptum, Eliud Kipchoge, Vincent Kipkemoi Ng'etich, Timothy Kiplagat, Benson Kipruto, Bernard Kiprop Koech, Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, Amos Kipruto, Titus Kipruto

Women: Ruth Chepng'etich, Rosemary Wanjiru, Joycilline Jepkosgei, Sheila Chepkirui, Peres Jepchichir, Judith Jeptum Korir, Seley Chepyego Kaptich, Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, Brigid Kosgei