President William Ruto has congratulated Kenyan athletes after they dominated the Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon in Japan on Sunday, October 18, winning both the men’s and women’s races and setting new course records.
In a message shared on X, Ruto praised Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Agnes Jebet Ng’etich for their victories, which saw them clock 59 minutes and 51 seconds and 1 hour, 4 minutes and 23 seconds respectively.
“We applaud Team Kenya for sweeping the podium in the men’s race and winning the women’s race at the Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon in Japan,” Ruto said.
The President also congratulated Kiprono Sitonik and James Mutuku for finishing second and third in the men’s race, completing a Kenyan sweep of the podium.
Tabitha Kamau finished second in the women’s race, further underlining Kenya’s strong performance at the event.
“Hongera, Team Kenya!” Ruto added.
Mutiso’s winning time of 59:51 broke the previous men’s course record of 59:52 by one second. The Kenyan runner maintained his lead to secure victory in the 21.1-kilometre race held in Tokyo.
Ng’etich also produced a record-breaking performance, winning the women’s race in 1:04:23. Her time improved the previous course record of 1:07:27 by more than three minutes.
The victory added to Ng’etich’s impressive run in international road racing after she won the women’s half-marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in September 2026.
The Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon is an annual road race held in Japan’s capital, attracting elite athletes from different countries.
Kenya’s performance once again highlighted the country’s strength in long-distance running, with its athletes claiming all three podium positions in the men’s race and the top two places in the women’s contest.
