Kipchoge cements legacy with back-to-back marathon golds

By the 35km stage he had jumped out to a lead of 27 seconds from a virtual tie 5km earlier and extended it to one minute and 17 seconds by 40km.

Kipchoge finished in two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds, coming in one minute and 20 seconds ahead of Nageeye.

Kipchoge's triumph highlights Kenya's dominance in the Olympic marathon in recent years, with the men winning gold at three of the past four Games.

Kenya's women have won two consecutive golds, and on Saturday took the top two spots with Peres Jepchirchir taking gold and Brigid Kosgei claiming silver.

Heat-Wave in Tokyo

Temperatures during Sunday's race, around 27 degrees Celsius, were not as hot as in recent days during a Sapporo heat-wave, but several of the major names dropped outs amid humid and windy conditions.

World champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, compatriot and 2020 London Marathon winner Shura Kitata, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda and Kenya's Amos Kipruto were among 29 runners who exited the race early.

"The weather was better than the last few days but still, it's humid and it's a strange feeling, you think it's cold but at the same time you lose water very quickly and that's why I got a cramp," said bronze medal winner Abdi, who had to fight through a cramp in his right hamstring near the end of the race.