World Half Marathon champion Agnes Ng’etich will be chasing another victory when she lines up for the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon on Sunday, where she faces compatriot and defending champion Rebecca Mwangi.
Ng’etich heads into the race boasting the second-fastest time in history over 21 kilometres, thanks to her commanding 1:03:04 victory at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon.
Only Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey has run faster, having set the world record of 1:02:52 on the same Valencia course in 2021.
Ng’etich came close to improving her personal best at the Valencia Half Marathon last year, clocking 1:03:08, just four seconds shy of her lifetime best.
The 25-year-old Kenyan will arrive in Tokyo buoyed by her record-breaking performance at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, last month.
Ng’etich claimed half marathon gold in emphatic fashion, setting a women-only world record of 1:05:15. She finished ahead of compatriot Veronica Loleo, who clocked 1:06:05, while Rwanda’s Florence Niyonkuru took third place in 1:06:08.
The 10km road race world record holder is now targeting another strong performance in Japan.
“I’m happy to be back in Tokyo. I’ve prepared well for this race and I’m looking forward to putting in a strong performance,” she said.
Ng’etich will also be keen to maintain the impressive form that has seen her excel across cross-country, track and road racing this season.
She opened her campaign on January 10 by claiming her maiden world title at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, United States, where she won gold in 31:28.
She carried that momentum into the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on February 14, winning in 32:28 ahead of compatriots Mercy Chepkemoi, who clocked 33:42, and Catherine Reline, who finished in 33:51.
Her winning streak suffered a rare setback at the New York Half Marathon, where she finished 13th in 1:10:25.
However, Ng’etich bounced back at the Lille 10K on April 4, winning in 28:58 before claiming another victory at the New York Mini 10K on June 6 in 30:07.
She switched to the track on July 10 at the Monaco Diamond League meeting, where she won the women’s 3,000m in 8:08.95.
In Tokyo, however, Ng’etich faces a stern challenge from Mwangi, who returns to defend the title she won impressively last year.
Mwangi made a memorable debut over the 21km distance, winning in 1:08:46 to announce herself on the half marathon stage. Kenya’s Janeth Mutungi finished second in 1:09:09, while Ethiopia’s Meskerem Mamo took third in 1:10:58.
The 25-year-old will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing outing at the tRUNsylvania 10km road race, where she finished 12th in 32:24.
Mwangi says she is well prepared for the challenge and intends to stick to her own race plan.
“Last year was my first half marathon, and this will be my second. I am well prepared this time and want to give my best while running at my own pace,” she said.
In the men’s race, Kenya’s hopes will rest on 2024 London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao, who heads to Tokyo with an impressive record on Japanese roads.
Munyao has won the Marugame Half Marathon twice, in 2023 and 2025, clocking 59:17 and 59:16 respectively.
The Kenyan will be chasing his first victory of the season as he looks to turn a series of encouraging performances into a breakthrough result.
He finished third at the Tokyo Marathon on March 1 in 2:03:38, before placing sixth at the Boston 10km road race on June 21 in 28:24. He most recently finished second at the AJ Bell Great North Run on September 13, clocking 1:00:01.
Munyao is confident he can deliver a strong performance in Tokyo.
“This will be my third time racing in Tokyo. I am in great shape and have been training really well. I just want to run as fast as I can,” he said.
