The streets of Tokyo are set to come alive this Sunday as the 2026 Tokyo Marathon welcomes the world’s top distance runners, marking the grand opening of this year’s World Marathon Majors series. The city, renowned for its deep elite fields and fast course, promises a race brimming with drama, personal milestones, and perhaps even a shot at history.
For Canadian fans, all eyes will be on Cam Levins, the man who redefined the nation’s marathon standards three years ago on these very streets. Back in 2023, Levins burst into the global spotlight with a remarkable fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Marathon, clocking a Canadian record of 2:05:36. That performance didn’t just break his previous best of 2:07:09—it shattered the 2:07 and 2:06 barriers, making Levins the first Canadian to do so. Now, at 36, he returns to the Japanese capital, aiming to lower his personal best once again, fueled by a season of rigorous preparation and personal transformation.
“It’s a course I know well, and it seemed to work well last time,” Levins told Canadian Running. “I’ve really been happy with my training block, so I’d love to run a personal best.” That’s a bold ambition, considering the depth of this year’s elite field. Levins enters with the 15th-fastest personal best, but the competition is fierce—defending champion Tadese Takele, former Olympic 10,000m gold medalist Selemon Barega, and London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso are just a few of the titans toeing the line. In fact, the men’s field boasts seven runners with personal bests under 2:04, setting the stage for a potential course record chase.
Levins’s journey back to Tokyo has been anything but routine. In the build-up, he notched the third-fastest half-marathon of his career at the Houston Half and claimed victory at the Vancouver First Half in a brisk 61:46. But it’s not just the races that have changed him. Fatherhood has reshaped his daily life and training approach. “When I’m with my son, I don’t want to do anything else,” Levins said, laughing. “My schedule has become more rigid. I’m doing the same thing, at the same time, every week. I’m the stay-at-home dad, and he’s my training partner when I’m on the treadmill. It’s a major shift from how I was training before, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Despite the new responsibilities, Levins has kept up his signature high-volume training, logging more than 200 kilometers per week and even squeezing in triple runs on four days. But after being outkicked by Rory Linkletter at the 2025 Canadian Half Marathon Championships, Levins made a strategic pivot. “Getting out-kicked by Rory last year in Edmonton made me change the way I was training,” he admitted. “Now I’ll try to hit a few full-speed reps at the end of a workout during the middle of my build. Before, I really didn’t touch paces faster than 10K.” He’s also ramped up his strength training, believing it will help him close strong over the marathon’s punishing final kilometers.
Tokyo’s marathon is famed for its deep, competitive fields and tactical racing. Last year, 26 men broke 2:10, and the top ten all dipped under 2:06. “Unlike many other races, there are a lot of different pacing groups in Tokyo, so you’ll rarely find yourself in no man’s land,” Levins explained. That depth can make all the difference when the going gets tough.
The men’s title fight is shaping up to be a classic. Tadese Takele, who stormed to victory in 2:03:23 last year, returns to defend his crown after a tough summer that saw him drop out of the World Athletics Championships marathon. He’s hungry for redemption and could push the pace even faster. Close on his heels will be Timothy Kiplagat, whose 2:02:55 runner-up finish in 2024 is the fastest personal best in the field. Alexander Mutiso, fresh off a London Marathon win and a podium finish in New York, is another major threat. Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, a consistent Tokyo bronze medalist, and Milkesa Mengesha, the 2025 Shanghai Marathon winner, round out a field where anyone could seize the moment. And don’t overlook Selemon Barega, who stunned the world with Olympic gold on the track and now seeks marathon glory.
On the women’s side, the storylines are just as compelling. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia is aiming for a historic third straight Tokyo title, having won last year in 2:16:31—just 36 seconds off her own course record. Hawi Feysa, who took the Chicago Marathon in a blistering 2:14:57, brings speed and momentum. Brigid Kosgei, a five-time major winner and the 2021 Tokyo champion, returns now representing Turkey, while Japan’s favorite Rosemary Wanjiru seeks to reclaim her 2023 crown after a Berlin triumph last fall. American veteran Sara Hall adds further intrigue, tackling Tokyo less than two months after her runner-up finish at Houston.
The stakes are high—not just for glory, but for a hefty payday. The top male and female finishers each stand to pocket $80,000, with prizes awarded down to tenth place. And if anyone breaks the world record—2:00:35 for men (set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023) or 2:09:56 for women (held by Ruth Chepng’etich)—they’ll collect a staggering $200,000 bonus. With so many athletes boasting sub-2:04 credentials and the course’s reputation for speed, that record bonus is more than just a dream.
For fans eager to catch the action, coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on FloSports/FloTrack for viewers in Canada and the U.S., while Kenyan fans can tune in live on Supersport at 3:00 AM EAT. The race starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office and winds its way to Tokyo Station, offering a scenic and fast route through the heart of the city. Social media updates will be provided by Canadian Running for those following from afar.
As the runners toe the line, the atmosphere in Tokyo is electric. Will Levins rewrite his own Canadian record? Can Takele or Kebede defend their titles against such loaded fields? Or will a new star emerge, propelled by the promise of history and a record payday? One thing’s for sure: the 2026 Tokyo Marathon is shaping up to be a race for the ages, with storylines and stakes that will keep fans glued to their screens from start to finish.
With the world watching and every second counting, Sunday’s marathon promises to deliver high drama, fierce competition, and perhaps a new chapter in the sport’s storied history. The only certainty is that the road from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office to Tokyo Station will be paved with ambition, grit, and the dreams of champions.