Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. When John Pitzel started the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, he knew that it was going to be hot. Tokyo is typically 50 degrees in early March, but on March 2, the temperature hit 68 degrees-perfect weather for a stroll but very warm for a marathon, especially for athletes who had trained through the winter to be there.
Ten days shy of her 41st birthday, the mother-of-three from Wicklow turned in a remarkable run that typified the class, courage and commitment that has defined her career, finishing ninth in the World Championships marathon in 2:30:16 - her best ever finish at global level across any surface.
"The feeling of crossing the finish line is exhilarating and absolutely never gets old," Thompson, who works in real estate and operates a bed and breakfast, wrote in an email interview after the race.
"Sharon Lokedi broke the Boston Marathon course record, finishing in an unofficial 2hr 17min 22sec, 19 seconds ahead of defending champion Hellen Obiri, significantly faster than the previous record."