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Michael Kipyego of Kenya surged ahead of Haile Gebrselassie, the former world record-holder, with two and a half miles left to win the Tokyo Marathon in 2 hours 7 minutes 37 seconds. Gebrselassie, trying to make Ethiopia's Olympic team, needed to break 2:04 to boost his chances but finished in 2:08:17.
Atsede Habtamu of Ethiopia won the Tokyo Marathon women's race in 2:25.28, a new course record. Her Ethiopian compatriot, Yeshi Esayas, finishes second in 2:26.00, a personal best time for her, while Eyerusalem Kuma came in 7th.
The race looked to be one woman show by Eri Okubo who led by as much as 1:45 at the half. However, Atsede Habtamu had a plan of her own which eventually led to a course record of 2:25:28.