The streets of Chicago are set to become a stage for speed, endurance and ambition once again, as some of the world’s best marathon runners gather in Grant Park on Sunday for the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
And while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo is back to defend his title, the battle for the biggest prize is expected to have a distinctly Kenyan flavour.
Kiplimo is leading an elite men's field packed with sub-2:04 talent, and he arrives in Chicago with the credentials and course knowledge to make him the man to beat on the day.
This race is the second-last Abbott Marathon Major, with the final one being the New York Marathon, expected to take place on November 1 in the US.
Last year, the Ugandan produced top performance, breaking away around the 30 km mark to win in 2:02:23 — a national record — and finish 1:31 ahead of Kenya’s Amos Kipruto.
Twelve months later, Kiplimo returns as an even more formidable marathoner, having trained hard in Kapchorwa, Uganda, for the last three months.
In April, he ran 2:00:28 in London, finishing third behind Sebastian Sawe of Kenya, who became the first man to run an official marathon in under two hours with a time of 1:59:30, and Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia.
Kiplimo’s time of 2:00:28 places him third on the all-time list for record-eligible marathon courses, confirming that the former world half-marathon record holder has successfully transformed his extraordinary speed into marathon endurance.
He knows exactly how to win in Chicago, but if Kiplimo is the favourite, Kipruto has unfinished business.
The 2022 London Marathon champion is back after finishing second in Chicago last year, and he has achieved better results than his personal best of 2:01:39 suggests. He has broken 2:04 four times and is a proven championship racer, capable of thriving when a marathon becomes a tactical battle.
Kipruto, who trains with the 2Running Athletics Club in Kapsabet, Nandi County, will have Kenyan company in the form of Daniel Mateiko.
Mateiko, who has a personal best of 2:03:44, could prove to be one of the most important pieces in Kenya’s challenge.
Mateiko was part of Kelvin Kiptum’s record-breaking assault on the Chicago course in 2023, setting a pace of 1:26:31 through 30 km before Kiptum made his decisive move and stormed to a then-world record time of 2:00:35.
Now, Mateiko, who also trains with the Global Sports Communications group in Kaptagat, Elgeyo Marakwet County, could play a pivotal role in shaping the race for Kipruto once again.
Brian Kibor completes the Kenyan trio and will make his marathon debut after establishing himself as a half-marathon runner with a personal best of 59:30.
However, the Ethiopians have enough firepower to ensure the race does not become a straight Kenyan–Ugandan contest.
Milkesa Mengesha is one of the biggest threats; he ran 2:03:17 in his first Abbott World Marathon Major at the 2024 Berlin Marathon, producing that performance in brutal heat and closing the final five kilometres in an impressive 14:08.
Tadese Takele is another serious contender, having won the Tokyo Marathon in March in 2:03:23. Asrar Hiyrden adds further depth, having achieved a personal best of 2:03:59 and three sub-2:04 performances this year.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Boki Diriba, with a personal best of 2:06:26, will be making his US debut.
However, Chicago has always been about more than just winning. A flat course winding through some of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods before returning to Grant Park has become synonymous with fast times and world records.
Three men’s world records have been set on Chicago’s streets. In 1984, Britain’s Steve Jones ran 2:08:05, becoming the first man to break 2:09. Fifteen years later, Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi lowered the mark to 2:05:42, then improved it to 2:05:38 in London.
Then, in 2023, Kelvin Kiptum shattered the world record in Chicago with a time of 2:00:35, delivering one of the greatest marathon performances ever seen. His record stood until Sawe’s historic time of 1:59:30 in London this April.
Kiptum’s triumph will always be part of Chicago’s identity, even after his tragic death alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident on the Eldoret-Kaptagat road on February 11, 2024. Kiptum was aged 24 at the time of his death.
Tomorrow, Kiplimo will attempt to add another chapter to this history. His time of 2:00:28 in London makes him the clear favourite, but Chicago could present a very different challenge.
