Winfridah Moseti reveals husband's role in Tokyo Marathon heroics

Kenyan marathoner Winfridah Moraa Moseti stunned athletics fans with a remarkable second-place finish at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon.

The race was packed with elite competition, but Moseti clocked an impressive 2:16:28, securing a podium spot behind Ethiopia’s Sutuma Asefe Kebede, who won in 2:16:31. Another Ethiopian, Hawi Feysa, finished third in 2:17:00.

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For Moseti, the impressive performance was a tribute to the steady support of her husband and coach, Joshua Ongori.

"I'm so excited to have emerged second in my first major marathon. Special thanks go to my husband, who gave me full support and guidance during my preparations because if I was doing it alone, I couldn't have made it," Moseti told Daily Nation.

Ongori has been pivotal in shaping Moseti’s career, offering both technical and emotional support in her training regimen.

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His mentorship, along with the expertise of her coaches Peter Bii and Thomas Potzinger from Mezzo Athletics Management, provided the foundation for her stellar performance on the grand stage.

The Tokyo Marathon unfolded as a race of strategy and endurance. Moseti stayed composed throughout the race, even when the designated pacemakers stepped aside at the 30-kilometer mark.

"When the pacemakers dropped because they were pacing up to 30km, I decided to run my race," she explained.

Her determination was tested when she found herself running alongside another elite competitor until the 41-kilometer mark.

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"I had one lady who was running alongside me until the 41km mark, but I decided to make the final push, edged her out, and secured second place," she recalled.

Despite her strong finish, Moseti admitted that she battled self-doubt before the race. She noted that as she stood at the start line among seasoned elites with faster personal bests, she felt a moment of intimidation.

"While we were lining up, I was scared looking at my fellow elite runners because their personal best times were higher than mine," she offered.

However, she decided to focus on her strengths.

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"I asked myself, ‘Will I make it to the podium?’ I decided to run my race, and it worked out well for me," she said.

Her journey to the elite ranks of marathon running began in Kisii before she moved to Iten in 2021, a transition she credits for her growth in the sport.

Training at high altitudes strengthened her endurance, allowing her to compete against world-class marathoners.

Now ranked as Kenya’s sixth-fastest female marathoner of all time, Moseti has her sights set on representing Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

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"If given a chance to represent my country, I will be glad because it’s a global event and prestigious to compete at that level," she said.

Moseti's Tokyo Marathon performance adds to an already impressive resume. She has competed in seven major marathons, placing ninth in Milan, fourth in Rome, fifth in Paris, second in Frankfurt, and third in both Hamburg and Amsterdam.