Key Takeaways
- Kenya's Amos Kipruto wins his first Chicago Marathon with a new personal best time.
- Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia sets a new personal best and defends her women's title.
- More than 55,000 runners competed in the 48th Chicago Marathon.
Kenya's Amos Kipruto secured his first Chicago Marathon victory on Sunday, setting a new personal best time of 2:01:09. The 34-year-old, who had previously finished second and third in the event, finally claimed the title after a tough journey.
Kipruto's performance was a significant milestone, as he had set his previous personal best finishing fourth at this year's London Marathon. 'The preparation for me toward the Chicago Marathon 2026 was perfect for me. I improved a lot in training for the previous London Marathon,' Kipruto said, adding, 'But I said, 'let's go (for) Chicago' and let be what will be. Everything is all about a mindset.'
The race was a tough field, but Kipruto's determination paid off as he pulled clear of defending champion and pre-race favourite Jacob Kiplimo at mile 21 and maintained his lead to the finish. 'Today's race was really good for me… I came here in 2024, I became position three, 2025 I became position two. And now 2026 it was either win or die for me,' Kipruto stated.
Uganda's Kiplimo ultimately slipped back to fourth place, while Tadese Takele Bikila of Ethiopia, the defending Tokyo champion, made his US marathon debut and took second place. Milkesa Mengesha of Ethiopia came in third.
On the women's side, defending champion Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia also set a new personal best with a time of 2:13:33. 'I’m elated to have won the second time,' Feysa said, via an interpreter. She was followed by Sharon Lokedi of Kenya, who finished 34 seconds back after staying with Feysa most of the race.
Fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei, a two-time winner in London, Tokyo, and Chicago, continued her fine recent form with a third-place finish. The 32-year-old, who set a then-world record of 2:14:04 in Chicago in 2019, won last year's Shanghai Marathon and took this year's Tokyo title.
The 48th Chicago Marathon saw more than 55,000 runners compete over the 26.2-mile course, which wound through the streets of Chicago. Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland also made history, shattering her own women's wheelchair world record with a time of 1:33:16.
The race showcased the strength and determination of elite marathon runners, with each competitor pushing themselves to the limit in the ideal sunny but cool conditions.
Today's race was really good for me… I came here in 2024, I became position three, 2025 I became position two. And now 2026 it was either win or die for me.
Amos Kipruto, Kenya's marathon runner
I’m elated to have won the second time
Hawi Feysa, Ethiopia's marathon runner
