Amos Kipruto claims Chicago Marathon title in style

By  Bernard Rotich

Reporter

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

• For Kipruto, the victory marked a remarkable turnaround after finishing second in Chicago last year.
• Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa demonstrated patience and tactical discipline to retain the women’s titles.

Kenya and Ethiopia shared the spoils at the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, with Amos Kipruto delivering a stunning personal best to win the men’s race as Hawi Feysa held off Sharon Lokedi to retain the women’s crown.

Kipruto, who trains at the 2Running Athletics Club in Kapsabet, clocked 2:01:09 to avenge last year’s second-place finish, while Feysa produced a commanding late surge to win in 2:13:33, denying Kenya double victory on the fast streets of Chicago.

It was a day of redemption for Kipruto and heartbreak for Lokedi, as the two nations renewed their rivalry two weeks after Ethiopia dominated the Berlin Marathon.

For Kipruto, the victory marked a remarkable turnaround after finishing second in Chicago last year in 2:03:54 behind Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo. The 34-year-old returned determined to go one better and delivered the performance of his career.

Coming into the race with a personal best of 2:01:39, set at the London Marathon in April, Kipruto shaved 30 seconds off his previous mark to underline his credentials among the world’s elite marathoners.

His winning time of 2:01:09 was among the fastest performances in marathon history and the second-fastest ever recorded in Chicago, behind the late Kelvin Kiptum’s course record of 2:00:35 in 2023.

The men’s race unfolded at a blistering pace under favourable conditions in Grant Park, with a formidable field featuring 39 runners who have run under.

The leading pack passed 10km in 28:37 before reaching halfway in 60:38, setting the stage for a thrilling battle among the pre-race favourites.

Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Gideon Rono, alongside Uganda’s Oscar Chelimo, served as pacemakers before dropping out at the 30km mark, reached in 1:26:11. 

Kiplimo, Kipruto, Ethiopians Milkesa Mengesha and Tadese Takele Bikila, and Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko remained in contention.

As the race entered its decisive phase, Kiplimo launched a surge around the 33km mark, forcing the leading group to respond. But Kipruto timed his move perfectly, taking command around 35km and gradually pulling clear.

The Kenyan powered towards the finish on Columbus Drive, arms raised in celebration, having turned last year’s disappointment into a memorable victory.

Ethiopia’s Takele finished second in 2:02:56, followed by compatriot Mengesha in 2:03:46. Kiplimo faded to fourth in 2:04:18, while Kipruto emerged as the day’s biggest winner.

Speaking after the race, Kipruto credited his preparation and mental strength for the breakthrough performance.

“My preparation for the Chicago Marathon was perfect, and I’m excited that I improved a lot in training after the London Marathon,” he said.

“Everything is about mindset. The field was tough, but I had to set my mind and make sure I finished on the podium. My plan was to beat my personal best from London last April, and it came to pass. I’m happy,” he said.

In the women’s race, Feysa demonstrated patience and tactical discipline to secure successive Chicago titles, resisting a determined challenge from Lokedi in the closing kilometres.

The Ethiopian and the two-time Boston and New York Marathon champion remained locked together deep into the race, reaching the 35km mark in 1:53:45 before Feysa made her decisive move with about 2km remaining.

Lokedi could not match the defending champion’s finishing speed and crossed the line second in 2:14:07, while former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei completed the podium places in 2:14:55.

For Kosgei, returning to Chicago for the first time since 2019, the performance was a significant milestone, producing her fastest marathon since that record-breaking period.

Feysa ensured Ethiopia left Chicago with a share of the honours, setting up another chapter in the enduring rivalry between East Africa’s two marathon powerhouses.

Meanwhile, it was song and dance in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County during a view party, organised by the Bank of Africa, as Kipruto won the men's race with Lokedi and Kosgei finishing in second and third positions in the women’s race.

Athletes who had assembled at the venue were taken through various topics, including the need to invest when they win lucrative races abroad.

Bank of Africa Relationship Manager Malenya Lusimba said the bank was committed to investing in athletics and supporting athletes to manage their earnings from athletics. 

“Our athletes have been winning good money internationally and we don’t want to see them becoming poor because they were not guided on how to invest,” said Lusimba.

Chicago Marathon Leading Results: 

Men:

1. Amos Kipruto (Kenya) - 2:01:09
2. Tadese Takele Bikila (Ethiopia) - 2:02:56
3. Milkesa Mengesha (Ethiopia) - 2:03:46
4. Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) - 2:04:18
5. Diriba Boki (Ethiopia) - 2:05:01

Women:

1. Feysa Hawi (Ethiopia) - 2:13:33
2. Sharon Lokedi (Kenya) - 2:14:07
3. Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) - 2:14:55
4. Mary Ngugi (Kenya) - 2:17:23
5. Joan Kilimo (Kenya) - 2:18:19

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