World Cup thriller: Marathon decided in photo finish

The men's World Championship marathon in Tokyo ended on Monday with Alphonce Simbu's victory after a bizarre course and a photo finish. Italy also celebrated an unexpected medal.

September 15, 2025

From: fop

Last night (CEST), 33-year-old Alphonce Simbu from Tanzania prevailed in a thriller by a fraction of a second against German sensation Amanal Petros. Bronze surprisingly went to Italian Iliass Aouani.

The start itself was a strange one. After 100 meters, the field was brought back due to a false start by Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich of Kenya, and the race restarted after a two-minute delay. After almost 21 kilometers, an unusually large leading group of 39 runners had formed. At the end, three runners, Simbu and Petros Aouani, turned together for the final meters of Tokyo's National Stadium. There, the Tanzanian overtook the German in the final meters, but Aouani was forced to let go and ultimately crossed the finish line five seconds behind.

Iliass Aouani finished third behind Alphonce Simbu and Amanal Petros (from right). © ANSA / FRANCK ROBICHON

In the end, all the medalists were happy – especially Petros. For Germany, it was only the second medal for a marathon runner at a World Championship. In 1983 in Helsinki, two-time Olympic champion Waldemar Cierpinski won bronze for East Germany.

Schlagwörter: Track & Field World Athletics Championships Tokyo marathon