The elite race winners were both from Ethiopia – the first such time that athletes from the same nation won the men's and women's division.

It was the first major marathon win for both athletes, although Berhane Dibaba had been runner-up in Tokyo the previous year.

The reigning Olympic and world champion Stephen Kiprotich was runner-up in the men's race and Dickson Chumba was third, failing to defend his title.

The women's podium was rounded out by Helah Kiprop (2014 winner of the Seoul International Marathon) and reigning Olympic champion Tiki Gelana.

The fastest home athletes both finished in seventh position overall: Masato Imai in the men's and Madoka Ogi in the women's division.