NN Running Team duo Victor Kiplangat and Maru Teferi claimed a memorable one-two in the men’s marathon at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and both return for a crack at the 2025 edition in Tokyo hunting more precious metal.

Kiplangat will hope to become the first back-to-back winner of this title since Kenyan Abel Kirui secured gold medals in 2009 and 2011 and boasts an enviable championship marathon record having also nabbed the 2022 Commonwealth title.

Boasting a personal best of 2:05:09 set at the 2022 Hamburg Marathon, the 25-year-old Ugandan has also proved he can perform well in Japanese conditions having placed second in the 2023 Osaka Marathon (2:06:03) and he will be seeking to write his place in history in Tokyo.

Teferi is also entered and – like Kiplangat – boasts an outstanding championship marathon resume. Besides his silver medal at the 2023 World Championships, he claimed marathon silver at the 2024 European Championships and earlier this year snared marathon bronze at the European Road Running Championships in Leuven, clocking a time of 2:09:17.

The 33-year-old athlete also revealed his ability to run quick, setting a national record of 2:04:44 for seventh at the 2024 Valencia Marathon.

The NN Running Team challenge is bolstered by former Ugandan marathon record holder Stephen Kissa, who placed fifth in the 2023 World Championship marathon.

Kissa, 29, who set a lifetime best of 2:04:48 in Hamburg in 2022 is another who has previously adapted well to the Japanese conditions having finished second in Osaka last year in a time of 2:06:22.

Experienced former European Cross Country champion Kaan Kigen will also toe the line in Tokyo. The 39-year-old boasts an excellent marathon pedigree, setting a Turkish record of 2:04:16 in Valencia in 2019 and that year registering an impressive second place in the Rotterdam Marathon.

The sole NN Running Team athlete to compete in the women’s marathon in Tokyo is the vastly experienced Lonah Salpeter who be lining up for her fifth World Championships marathon appearance.

Salpeter, claimed a memorable bronze in the 2022 edition in Eugene and finished 21 seconds shy of a podium spot in fourth at the Budapest World Championships two years ago.

Setting a national record mark of 2:17:45 at the 2020 Tokyo Marathon, Salpeter has positive vibes from the Japanese capital and earlier this year added another marathon medal to her collection winning bronze at the European Road Running Championships. A podium finisher in Boston and New York the 36-year-old should never be discounted on the big stage.

The Women’s Marathon takes place on Sunday 14 September at 7:30 am local time. The starting gun will fire on the Men’s Marathon at 7:30 am local time on Monday 15 September.

Find out more about how to watch the 2025 World Athletics Championships here.