Normally, the streets are packed by people who follow the marathon with a finish at the Imperial Palace. Now it was the clicks of spectators, most of them in mouthguards, that fed the race. The race had a great top width with 17 runners during 2.08.

- It's a good track and if the weather had been better I could have jumped at 2.03, says Legesse about the race which was carried out in constant cold rain.

There was also an Ethiopian victory in the women's race. Ruti Aga won at 2.20.40.

- It was difficult conditions with a lot of water on the streets but it was a good race anyway, says Aga to World Athletics.

In August, the Olympic march will be held in the same country

In August, the Olympic Games are in the same city, although the marathon race has been moved to Sapporo 80 miles further north due to the fear of the heat.

"If the Olympics will look this way, it will be a sad sight," spectator Hiroshi Enomoto told the AP.

Sports in Tokyo have been heavily affected this weekend and have had an impact on football, rugby, baseball and sumo wrestling and probably even more events. All events with large audience figures have also been affected and schools have been closed.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and IOC Chairman Thomas Bach have said that the Olympic Games July 24-August 9 will be implemented as planned.