Agnes Jebet Ng’etich crosses the finish line at the Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon on October 18, 2026.
Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Agnes Jebet Ng’etich set course records as Kenya sweeps the men’s podium and takes the top two women’s places.
Kenyan athletes claimed five podium places and set two course records at the 2026 Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon. Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Agnes Jebet Ng’etich won the men’s and women’s races in Japan on Sunday, October 18.
Kenya swept the men’s podium, while Tabitha Njeri Kamau finished second behind Ng’etich in the women’s contest. President William Ruto congratulated the team for its victories and record-breaking performances.
Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon produces two course records
Mutiso won the men’s title in 59 minutes and 51 seconds, cutting one second from the previous course record. The 2024 London Marathon champion led a Kenyan top three that also recorded two personal bests.
Kiprono Sitonik took second place in 59:56, finishing just five seconds behind Mutiso and setting a personal best. James Mutuku followed in third with 1:00:08, also achieving his fastest time over the distance.
Together, the three secured every men’s podium position at the event, which held its fifth edition. Their results accounted for three of Kenya’s five podium finishes across the two races.
Ng’etich leads Kenyan women’s one-two
Meanwhile, Ng’etich delivered the larger course-record improvement, winning the women’s race in 1:04:23. She lowered the previous mark by more than three minutes to complete Kenya’s double victory.
Kamau secured second place in 1:08:28, giving Kenya the top two positions in the women’s race. Japan’s Kazuna Kanetomo completed the podium in 1:10:17, setting a personal best.
Ng’etich’s Tokyo success also followed her victory at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya highlighted that earlier triumph while celebrating her latest title.
Ruto and Cabinet secretaries praise Team Kenya
Ruto applauded the athletes for sweeping the men’s podium and winning the women’s race in Japan. He also congratulated the team on its course records, celebrating the collective performance.
Mvurya praised Mutiso’s continued success in international competition, highlighting his London Marathon title and winning time in Tokyo. He also commended Ng’etich for improving the women’s course record by more than three minutes.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen similarly congratulated both winners for their titles and record-breaking runs. In addition, he recognised Kamau, Sitonik and Mutuku for their podium finishes, describing the results as a source of national pride.
With Kanetomo taking the remaining podium place, Kenya finished with five of the six available positions. Both Kenyan winners left Tokyo with titles and new course marks.
