Ranzi Sports

The men’s marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo showcased one of the most exhilarating and closely fought finishes in the event’s history. Tanzanian athlete Alphonce Felix Simbu secured the gold medal in a remarkable photo finish, narrowly defeating Germany’s Amanal Petros by just 0.03 seconds.

Both competitors crossed the finish line with the identical official time of 2:09:48 after enduring the challenging heat and humidity that tested their endurance limits.

From the outset, the race developed into a strategic and tightly contested affair, with a substantial lead pack remaining intact well past the halfway mark. Despite temperatures soaring to 27 degrees Celsius, the athletes sustained a consistent pace that kept the marathon competitive into the later stages.

As the field narrowed in the final kilometers, the race culminated in a thrilling sprint within the Japan National Stadium, where Simbu’s late acceleration clinched Tanzania’s inaugural world title in track and field.

Italy’s Iliass Aouani completed the podium with a commendable bronze finish, arriving just five seconds behind the frontrunners. Other noteworthy performances included American Clayton Young, who finished ninth while grappling with the severe conditions. The marathon also experienced a rare false start, contributing to the unique drama of an event characterized by resilience, tactical skill, and historical importance.

This unforgettable marathon not only showcased the endurance and strategic capabilities of the world’s elite distance runners but also solidified Alphonce Felix Simbu’s reputation as an emerging legend in long-distance running.

Meanwhile, Amanal Petros’s performance highlighted his consistency and competitiveness at the highest level, narrowly missing a historic victory.

The event will be remembered as one of the sport’s most remarkable exhibitions of determination and competition.