In a breathtaking conclusion to the 2025 World Athletics Championships men’s marathon, Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu secured a historic victory in Tokyo on September 15, finishing the grueling 42.195 kilometers in 2:09:48. Competing under extreme conditions, Simbu’s triumph marks the first gold medal ever earned by a Tanzanian athlete in track and field, and the closest margin of victory recorded at a World Championships marathon, winning by merely 0.03 seconds over Germany’s Amanal Petros.
Post-race, Simbu expressed his elation and sense of achievement, reflecting on his journey from a bronze medal win in 2017. “I made history today,” he stated. “I remember in 2017, I won bronze in London. I ran many times afterward but didn’t get any more medals until now. I told myself I was not going to give up,” he added, emphasizing the significance of staying with the lead group throughout the race.
Petros, who finished closely behind Simbu with an identical official time, found himself reflecting on his near miss. Though his efforts were worthy of gold, he accepted the silver medal with grace, acknowledging the conundrum of racing so close to victory. “It’s like the 100m,” he said, acknowledging the heartbreak of not winning. “As an athlete, you have to learn for tomorrow, train hard, keep going and be thankful for the silver.”
Italy’s Iliass Aouani rounded out the podium, claiming bronze in a time of 2:09:53. The marathon unfolded with a tightly knit pack of runners through the first 30 kilometers. This group included not only the eventual medalists but also other notable contenders such as Uganda’s Abel Chelangat, the USA’s Clayton Young, and Great Britain’s Emile Cairess. With only a second separating the top twelve runners early in the race, it appeared anyone could claim victory.
However, as the race progressed under sweltering conditions of up to 27 degrees Celsius, the intensity of the competition began to take its toll. Kondo Ryota, the home favorite, initially stayed within reach of the lead group but fell behind around the 39th kilometer, unable to match the pace as the strongest competitors surged forward.
As the athletes entered Japan National Stadium for the final leg of this grueling event, the atmosphere was electric. Crowds erupted in excitement as Simbu made a daring push in the last 10 meters, showcasing his determination and strength to clinch the nation’s historic gold.
With this victory, Simbu not only adds a world gold medal to his accolades but also continues a remarkable year after finishing second in the Boston Marathon earlier in April. The extraordinary finish in Tokyo serves as a testament to the resilience and competitive spirit of marathon runners on the world stage.
