World Athletics Championships 2025: Alphonce Simbu Delivers Tanzania’s First-Ever Gold as Kenyans Struggle in Marathon

Alphonce Simbu etched his name in history after securing Tanzania’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships. The veteran runner stunned the field in Tokyo on Monday morning, producing a dramatic finish to claim the men’s marathon title.

For years, Tanzania has watched neighbouring Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia dominate long-distance running on the global stage. That narrative changed in 2025 when Simbu finally ended the country’s medal drought, sparking nationwide celebrations.

The race itself unfolded with remarkable drama. A large pack stayed together for much of the contest before gradually thinning out in the final kilometres. By the time the athletes entered the last kilometre, only five men remained in contention: Simbu, Germany’s Amanol Petros, Uganda’s Abel Chelangat, Italy’s Iliass Aouani, and Israel’s Haimro Alame. The final lap inside the stadium turned into a three-way battle between Petros, Simbu, and Aouani.

Simbu Outpaces Rivals in Stunning Finish

With just 200 metres remaining, Petros surged forward, seemingly on course for gold. However, Simbu produced a late burst of speed, closing the gap in the final stretch. In a breathtaking finish, he edged past Petros in the last 30 metres, securing victory by the narrowest margin ever recorded in a world championship marathon—just 0.03 seconds.

Both Simbu and Petros clocked 2:09:48, while Aouani settled for bronze with 2:09:53.

This victory is especially significant for Simbu, who has been a consistent figure on the international circuit. He previously won bronze in the marathon at the 2017 World Championships, silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and another silver earlier this year at the Boston Marathon. By finally capturing gold, he has brought Tanzania its first global title, a triumph that will be remembered for generations.

While Tanzania celebrated, it was a disappointing outing for Kenya, traditionally a powerhouse in the marathon. Their top finisher, Kennedy Kimutai, placed 16th, followed by Vincent Ngetich in 22nd, while Hillary Kipkoech failed to complete the race.

For Tanzania, however, the day belonged to Simbu. His relentless determination, coupled with a perfectly timed sprint, ensured that the 2025 World Championships marathon will forever be remembered as the race where the nation’s golden moment finally arrived.