The multiple Olympic track champion will take part in his second ever race over 26.2 miles in the Japanese capital

Joshua Cheptegei, the current 5000m and 10,000m world record-holder, headlines this year's Tokyo Marathon (March 2).

The 28-year-old, who is a multiple Olympic track champion and secured 10,000m gold in Paris last summer, will compete in just his second ever race over 26.2 miles.

Cheptegei made his anticipated debut in the distance in Valencia two years ago, with the Ugandan placing 37th in 2:08:59, adding that "the marathon has no respect for people".

First drawn to the marathon as a 15-year-old – he saw fellow Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich race to Olympic gold at London 2012 – Cheptegei always dreamed of competing over 26.2 miles and, before Valencia, sought advice from compatriot Kiprotich and Eliud Kipchoge.

Cheptegei, who also became world individual cross-country champion in Aarhus six years ago, will be hoping to use that kind of strength and stamina to claim a personal best in the marathon in Tokyo.

He will face stiff competition however, with the favourite for the men's field being reigning champion Benson Kipruto.

Kipruto, who secured victory at last year's Tokyo Marathon in a personal best of 2:02:16, also claimed bronze for Kenya over the distance at the Paris Olympics.

A three-time major winner, Kipruto also triumphed at the 2021 Boston and 2022 Chicago marathons respectively.

This year's edition in Tokyo will be the 33-year-old's 17th marathon, so he also has experience on his side in the Japanese capital.

Ethiopia's Deresa Gelata, who placed fifth at the Paris Olympics, will be one to watch.

Gelata boasts a best of 2:02:38 in the marathon, recorded last month in Valencia, which put him seventh on the all-time list behind Kipruto.

It's an incredibly strong men's field in Tokyo, with other athletes to look out for including Birhanu Legese (2:02:48), Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13), Tadese Takele (2:03:24), Dawit Wolde (2:03:48) and Leul Gebresilase (2:04:02).

In a competitive women's field, Sutume Kebede is the slight favourite as the reigning champion, even though she will be tested heavily in Tokyo.

At last year's edition, the Ethiopian won by 19 seconds and clocked a personal best of 2:15:55 in her victory.

Kebede will be confident of retaining her crown, especially after placing second in Chicago, but faces three of the top 10 on the women's marathon all-time list.

Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei could be well be Sebede's biggest threat and is also a previous winner of the Tokyo Marathon.

Kosgei, who has a best of 2:14:04, also placed second in the Olympic marathon five years ago and has triumphed at five majors.

Don't count out Tigist Ketema (2:16:07) and Rosemary Wanjiru (2:16:04), who are eighth and ninth on the all-time list over 26.2 miles respectively.

Gotytom Gebreslase might have a slower personal best (2:18:11) but, as the 2022 world marathon champion, is likely to contend for the win as well.

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