Suguru Osako, Feng Peiyou and Yang Shaohui Gather in East Malaysia as…

Five weeks remain until the first World Marathon Majors race of 2026 — the Tokyo Marathon — and this year marks the 20th edition of the event.The organizing committee has officially announced this year's invited list and elite athletefield, and race directorYasuhiro Oshima has made it clear they are targeting the world record.

As a World Marathon Major, the Tokyo Marathon has always fielded a star-studded line-up. There's a powerhouse African contingent, strong domestic Japanese competitors, and Chinese athletes who are increasingly making their mark on the international stage.

As for the men's invited field, overall,there are as many as 19 athletes at sub-2:06 (inclusive).

last year's Eastern Marathon champion, the young EthiopianTadese Takele（PB 2:03:23）aims to defend his title, and hispossessing dominant-level strength,opponents are equally eyeing him.

At the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, finished in 2:02:55 (PB) to takesecond-placeTimothy Kiplagatranks first on paper; the Kenyan athlete who has long lived and trained in JapanAlexander Mutiso (PB 2:03:11) is also a favorite to win.

Also the 2024 Berlin Marathon champion, who just won the Shanghai Marathon last year, Milkesa Mengesha, and the 2020 Olympic 10,000m gold medallist with outstanding speed Selemon Barega.

A heavyweight showdown among Japan's domestically based runners offers drama every bit comparable to the African contingent. This is not just a battle for pride; it's a crucial fight for an MGC pass to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Suguru Osako set a new Japanese record of 2:04:55 at the 2025 Valencia Marathon and appears to be enjoying a competitive second wind. Kengo Suzuki, the former record holder (2:04:56), after turning professional under the Yokohama City Athletics Association and overcoming injury problems, will surely be eager to reclaim the national crown.

Interestingly, Suguru Osako andKengo Suzuki have been training together recently. When familiar training partners meet on the racecourse, what kind of sparks will fly?

It is worth mentioning that popular Japanese runner Taisei Ota, who currently has a PB of 2:08:31, is also among the locally invited Japanese athletes.

In the domestic men's field, the strongest post-2000 athlete and the recent Chongqing Marathon overall runner-up, Feng Peiyou,will he maintain his momentum after returning from winter training? Also included on the elite list areChina's third-fastest marathoner and the 2026 Xiamen Marathon domestic champion Yang Shaohui, national 10,000m record-holder Wang Wenjie, andWang Guangyao, Wendu Rihuhe, and Qi Zhenfei all appearing on the elite list.

On the women's side, the depth of the invited elite list makesthe race outcome is equally uncertain —there are 8 athletes under 2:20.

Last year, the Ethiopian who won the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:14:57 — at the time the fifth-fastest performance in history —Hawi Feysa is the clear favorite to win.

What she'll be up against is the undisputed master of the Tokyo course. Also from Ethiopia,Sutume Asefa Kebede (Sutume Asefa Kebede) will go for a third straight Tokyo Marathon title in 2026, undoubtedly targeting the 2:15:55 course record she holds.

At the same time, the 2023 Tokyo Marathon champion and 2025 Berlin Marathon champion Rosemary Wanjiru, and former world record holder and last year's Shanghai Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei have joined the field, suggesting the women's course record could be broken.

On the Japanese domestic side, the familiar Ai Hosoda leads the field. Although she has

announced her retirement, but has made it clear she does not intend to treat this race as a farewell; instead she is aiming to break her PB (2:20:31).

On the Chinese side, Xia Yuyu, Li Zhixuan, Bai Li, Xu Bingjie, Lu Ying, and trail queen Yao Miao are all on the elite list.

To better support the athletes, the East Marathon Organizing Committee will try a new initiative: using three pacing bicycles riding in parallel to lead the men's leading pack, the Japanese athletes' pack, and the women's leading pack, respectively. By conveying pace and estimated finish times to the runners in real time, it aims to help athletes chase the direct qualifying standards for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics MGC (men: 2:03:59; women: 2:16:59).

Five weeks from nowin the cherry-blossom breeze of the Imperial Palace Outer Garden,the 2026 Tokyo Marathon,wewill witness it together.

Text: Mengmeng / Editor:Mengmeng‍

Images:Trail Running Big Bang / Visuals: Five YearsTrainee

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Suguru Osako, Feng Peiyou and Yang Shaohui Gather in East Malaysia as 2026 Tokyo Marathon Elite List Is Announced