The Tokyo Marathon was decided by a photo finish: the winner was determined by 0.03 seconds.

The marathon final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo

According to The Sun: The marathon final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo turned into a real show. An unusual finish forced the judges to use a photo finish to determine the winner.

After 42.2km, this is the most insane finish to a marathon you’ll ever see. A photo finish was needed to determine the winner: Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu. #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/6u1izgWVss

— John Dean (@JohnDean_) September 15, 2025

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In a tense battle between Tanzania's Alphonce Simbu and Germany's Amanal Petros, the victory was determined by a mere 0.03 seconds. Simbu amazed everyone with an incredible sprint in the last meters of the race.

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Fierce competition on the track

Simbu overtook Petros in the final moments, although Petros had dominated much of the distance. At the finish line, Petros fell, and Simbu managed to stay balanced. It initially seemed that both athletes finished simultaneously, but photo finish technology confirmed Simbu's victory.

Both athletes registered the same time — 2:09:48, but Simbu claimed the victory. This was a sensation in the world of athletics.

The winner was determined by just a few millimeters

Athletes' comments

Alphonce Simbu shared his impressions:

“I told myself I wouldn’t give up. When we entered the stadium, I wasn’t sure I would win. I didn’t know if I had won.”

Amanal Petros noted:

“I’ve never seen anything like this in a marathon. It felt like 100 meters. I feel sadness, but I have to accept this. As an athlete, you need to learn for tomorrow, train, and be thankful for the silver.”

This final left a deep mark in the memory of all athletics supporters.

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This event became an important milestone in sports history, highlighting the significance of technology in determining winners in the most intense races. Fans and athletes will long remember this thrilling finish.