World Marathon Major Begins in Tokyo This Weekend: Viewing Guide

The World Marathon Majors officially commences this weekend with the highly anticipated Tokyo Marathon, set against the city’s vibrant backdrop on Sunday, March 1. As the elite runners descend upon the capital, fierce rivalries are rekindled, and a palpable tension looms with potential world record chases expected. This analysis not only dives into the race’s key contenders and broadcast details but also examines the broader implications of this sporting event, from performance stakes to the global running community’s dynamics.

How to Watch the 2026 Tokyo Marathon

For viewers in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone, the marathon can be streamed live on FloTrack at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 28, offering a prime opportunity to engage with this high-stakes event in real-time. The race represents more than just a competition; it embodies a showcase of athletic prowess, community pride, and the historical significance of marathon running in Japan.

Elite Storylines: Battlegrounds of the Best

On the men’s side, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele seeks to defend his title after a remarkable breakthrough last year, clocking in at 2:03:23. This performance signified not just personal success, but a pivotal moment in Ethiopian running. Post a disappointing drop-out at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Takele’s return symbolizes redemption. His challengers are formidable, including:

• Timothy Kiplagat: Fastest in the field with a personal best of 2:02:55.
• Alexander Mutiso: Winner of the 2024 London Marathon.
• Milkesa Mengesha: Recent Shanghai Marathon champion.
• Vincent Ngetich: A podium presence in the last two Tokyo Marathons.

Kiplagat’s previous performance showcased his potential to threaten the course record, which currently stands at 2:02:16 following Benson Kipruto’s remarkable win last year. With seven athletes holding personal bests under 2:04, an unprecedented battle looms. This fierce competition is not solely about trophies; it reflects a deeper quest for national pride and personal legacies in the sport.

The Women’s Race: A Clash of Titans

The women’s race promises an exhilarating fight for supremacy, marking the return of defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede, who is just shy of the course record she set in 2024 at 2:15:55. The Ethiopian powerhouse illustrated her dominance by leading the race from start to finish last year in 2:16:31. In a bid to reclaim her title, former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei is also expected to deliver a strong performance, recently finishing the Shanghai Marathon in 2:16:36.

Another athlete to watch is Hawi Feysa, who burst onto the scene with a Chicago Marathon win in 2:14:57—placing her seventh on the all-time list. Rosemary Wanjiru, last year’s Berlin Marathon champion, and American runner Sara Hall, coming off a second-place finish in Houston, add further intrigue to an already star-studded women’s field. This fusion of personal narratives and national pride paints a picture of the multifaceted stakes in the Tokyo Marathon.

Projected Outcomes

The Tokyo Marathon is poised to create ripples within the running world, with several anticipated developments:

• Course Records: With numerous runners under 2:04, the possibility of new records looms large.
• Emerging Talents: Names like Feysa and Kiplagat could redefine the future of marathon running.
• Global Attention: Expect increased media coverage of the athletic prowess exhibited by these athletes which might lead to enhanced investment in the sport.

This weekend’s event not only serves as a critical chapter in the World Marathon Majors but also as a cultural confluence of sport and community, echoing across the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. As viewers engage with the marathon, they become part of a global movement that transcends borders and brings together diverse cultures through the universal language of sport.