Tokyo World Championships: Peres Jepchirchir Outkicks Tigist Assefa to Win Women’s Marathon
Under Tokyo’s intense heat and humidity, the women’s marathon at the World Championships delivered a thrilling finish. Peres Jepchirchir once again showcased her killer sprint, edging out Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa at the line, while Uruguay’s Julia Paternain stunned the field by claiming bronze.
The race unfolded as expected: the marathoners set off from the National Stadium in Tokyo under sweltering conditions, aware they would need to manage their effort before dreaming of a podium finish. And as often happens, the final decision came on the track in the last meters. Peres Jepchirchir, the 2021 Olympic champion from Kenya, proved once more why she dominates the closing stages. She crossed the line in 2:24:43, just two seconds ahead of Tigist Assefa (2:24:45). A supercharged sprint sealed the win for Jepchirchir, while her Ethiopian rival faced yet another narrow defeat in a major final—her second disappointment after finishing second to Sifan Hassan at the Paris Olympics.
“I’m so happy with what I did in Tokyo,” Jepchirchir said immediately after the race. “It was so hot, so tough. But I made it. When I entered the stadium, I got so much energy from the fans. I really didn’t expect to win. Sprinting in the final meters wasn’t my original plan, but when I saw I was 100 meters from the finish, I just started kicking. I found hidden energy. (…) Even though I’ve run many marathons in my career, I’m so grateful for this one because I didn’t expect the victory. It’s my first World Championship gold, and I’m grateful it happened in Tokyo, because I won my first Olympic marathon gold here in Japan. This one was tougher—the humidity was so high and I didn’t know it would be so hot.” At 31, the double world half-marathon champion adds a World Championship marathon gold to a résumé already packed with victories at New York and London.
| The Surprise Bronze: Julia Paternain
Behind them, a South American story stole the spotlight. Uruguay’s Julia Paternain, previously under the radar, overtook Uganda’s Stella Chesang after the 38th kilometer to claim an incredible bronze in 2:27:23. The emotion was palpable as she realized she had reached the podium—something she hadn’t even expected. This marked Uruguay’s very first medal at a World Athletics Championships. Even more remarkable: Paternain, 25, born in Mexico to Uruguayan parents and raised in the UK, was running only her second marathon ever.
“I can’t believe it. I’m in shock. I wasn’t paying attention to my time, I was just running,” said Paternain. “It was an amazing experience. When things heat up, I like to be in my own little world and run my own race, and today it worked in my favor. My coach told me to run my own race and that people would support me as the race progressed. That’s exactly what happened. It was the perfect strategy. Towards the end, I thought a lot about Uruguay. I love representing Uruguay. My whole family is from there. I grew up in England and live in the US. It’s a small country, but I’m very proud. The only thing I don’t like is mate (laughs). I hope to go back to Uruguay soon. (…) I want to be an example for young girls in South America so they can see that anything is possible. No matter where you come from. All you need is a pair of shoes. I only started running at 16, and I’m 25 now. Anyone can do it.”
Julia Paternain Takes Bronze in the Marathon
| The Jepchirchir–Assefa Duel
The decisive moves started around the 25th kilometer when the Ethiopian runners pushed the pace, breaking up the pack. Jessica McClain (9th, 2:29:20) and Sullivan were overtaken. What remained was the long-anticipated head-to-head: former marathon world record-holder Tigist Assefa versus current half-marathon world record-holder Peres Jepchirchir. From the 30th kilometer onward, the two went toe-to-toe in a high-intensity duel. Ultimately, Jepchirchir had the final word with a powerful sprint in the stadium, finishing at 2:24:43, just two seconds ahead of Assefa (2:24:45). Uganda’s Stella Chesang (2:31:13) and Kenya’s Madeleine Massai (DNF) were also in contention, but nearly two minutes behind—a tantalizingly close, yet distant finish. The suspense held until the 35th kilometer, when it became clear the gold would be decided between Jepchirchir and Assefa.
Earlier, Japan’s Kana Kobayashi ignited the crowd by taking the lead at the start, before the pace ramped up under the African favorites’ pressure. American Susanna Sullivan, already notable at the Budapest Worlds, led until the 28th kilometer. Overtaken, she held on heroically, finishing fourth in 2:28:17.
| Manon Trapp’s Grueling Challenge
For France, Manon Trapp endured a tough learning marathon under Tokyo’s scorching conditions, completing 42.195 km in 32nd place (2:36:09). Ranked 58th at 5 km (18:11) and 52nd at 10 km (36:12), the Savoyard runner held firm despite widening gaps with the leaders (1:13:08 at 20 km, 36th at 35 km in 2:09:21).
“I planned to start conservatively and pick up the pace at the end, but I was a bit naive because from mid-race, everyone felt the conditions,” Trapp said after the race. “I paced myself as best I could to avoid burning out. It’s a balance between pushing and overexerting. I wanted to accelerate, but then had to slow down. I hurt everywhere and did my best. I managed the aid stations well. It was quite the experience—something else! The Japanese crowd was amazing, cheering me on, which really helped me maintain pace because I couldn’t stick with a pack. I had no idea of my ranking, but I gave everything in the last three kilometers to gain a few places. No regrets.”
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
