Another gold for Kenya! Peres Jepchirchir wins Women’s Marathon World title in Tokyo

Jepchichir won in a brilliant run edging Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa in a nail-biting time of 2:24:43

by Tabnacha Odeny

News14 September 2025 - 09:40

In Summary

Now, she has once again stamped her authority on the streets of Tokyo with a commanding performance, edging Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa in a thrilling sprint finish to clock 2:24:43.
“I was not expecting to win. But I get energy from nowhere,” Jepchirchir said after crossing the finish line.

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Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir has added another crown to her glittering career, winning the women’s marathon world title in Tokyo. a second gold for Kenya in the world championship.

Yesterday, Olympic 10,000 m and 5,000 m champion Beatrice Chebet clinched Kenya’s first gold medal at the World Championships in Tokyo after winning the women’s 10,000m in 30:37.61.

Her victory ended a decade-long drought in the event, last won in 2015 by Vivian Cheruiyot in Beijing

Jepchirchir, 31, rose to global prominence after her maiden marathon victory in Saitama in 2019. Two years later, she stormed to Olympic gold in Tokyo during the delayed 2020 Games.

Now, she has once again stamped her authority on the streets of Tokyo with a commanding performance, edging Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa in a thrilling sprint finish to clock 2:24:43.

The Ethiopian repeated her Silver medal placement from the Olympics in 2:24:45. Julia Paternain of Uruguay was a surprise Bronze winner in 2:27:43.

“I was not expecting to win. But when I saw I was 100 metres from the finish, I just started to kick. I found some hidden energy,” Jepchirchir said after crossing the finish line.

The win adds to her Olympic win from Japan 4 years ago, the first woman to win the marathon at the Olympics and Worlds since Rosa Mota (1987, 1988).

Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen joined the nation in celebrating her triumph.

“Congratulations, Peres Jepchirchir, for winning us another gold in the women’s marathon at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. In your brilliant run and stunning sprint, edging Tigst Assefa in a nail-biting 2:24:43, you demonstrated our country’s indomitable spirit. Keep winning, Team Kenya!” Murkomen said in a statement.

Jepchirchir’s latest victory cements her status as one of the world’s greatest marathoners and continues Kenya’s rich legacy in distance running.