Ethiopia's Deso Gelmisa won a dramatic sprint to the finish with compatriot Mohamed Esa for a thrilling victory in the men's race of the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday.
Gelmisa crossed the finish line in 2 hours 5 minutes 22 seconds, the same time posted by Esa in second. Ethiopia's Tsegaye Getachew finished third, three seconds back, to complete a sweep by the African nation.
Ichitaka Yamashita was the top finisher among the Japanese contingent by placing seventh in 2:05:51 on the course that started at the Tokyo metropolitan government building and ended in front of Tokyo Station.
Kenya Sonota finished eighth in 2:05:59, while former Japan record-holder Suguru Osako had to settle for ninth place in 2:06:13.
In the women's race, Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya won by nearly half a minute in 2:16:28 to move into sixth fastest on the all-time list. The 28-year-old Wanjiru went to high school in Japan.
Three-time Osaka champion Mizuki Matsuda was Japan's top finisher, placing sixth in 2:21:44.
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