Seven years after she rewrote the marathon record books in Chicago, Brigid Kosgei is returning to the Windy City with unfinished business, leading a formidable Kenyan contingent determined to reclaim the Abbott World Marathon Majors title.
Kosgei is set to lead Kenya’s challenge in the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon today (Sunday), where she will compete against the defending champion, Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia, and a women’s field comprising some of the world’s best marathon runners.
However, for Kenya, this is about more than winning another major title; it is also an opportunity to reaffirm the country’s dominance on one of the world’s fastest marathon courses.
Kosgei boasts the fastest personal best in the field; her remarkable time of 2:14:04 in Chicago in 2019 shattered Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing world record.
This record has since been broken twice, first by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa with a time of 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, and then by Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich who became the first woman to run under 2:10 with a time of 2:09:56.
The 32-year-old Kosgei has shown that she still has many great performances in her, producing a spectacular 2:14:29 victory in Tokyo earlier this year, only 25 seconds outside her Chicago record. She also won the Shanghai Marathon in 2:16:36 and finished runner-up in the Hamburg and Sydney Marathons.
Chicago therefore offers Kosgei an opportunity to make a remarkable comeback on the same streets where she first announced herself as the world’s leading marathoner.
In a press conference, Kosgei said she is excited to be heading back to the race where she made history, and that her goal is to perform well, given she will be competing against some of the best runners over the distance.
“I’m excited to be back at the Chicago Marathon after many years away. I just love the flat course and the crowds who cheer us on during the race. As competitors, that support is what we need to keep us going. This race is my favourite, and I want to start and finish well,” said Kosgei.
However, standing in her way will be Feysa, who is returning to defend the title she won last year in a personal best time of 2:14:57. The Ethiopian has already proven that she can handle the pressure of a World Marathon Major, but her task this time is considerably tougher with Kosgei back in the field.
Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi will make her Chicago debut, bringing with her the confidence from another successful campaign in one of the world’s most competitive marathons.
Kenya's Sharon Lokedi crosses the finish line to win the women's elite race at the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Lokedi successfully defended her Boston title in April, clocking 2:18:51 after setting her personal best of 2:17:22 on the same course in 2023. Chicago’s flat and fast layout presents a completely different challenge, and the 32-year-old will be looking to translate her proven championship racing ability into a significant time improvement.
She has been splitting her training time between Kaptagat in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, and Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.
Lokedi said that, having tackled the tough courses of the Boston and New York Marathons, it was time to try something new.
“I just wanted to run faster, and there’s no better place to do that than Chicago with its flat course. My training has been good, though faster than usual, because we knew we would be competing on a fast course,” she said.
Another Kenyan runner, Loice Chemnung, returns after finishing fourth in Chicago last year in 2:18:24. Since then, she has developed into a considerably more accomplished marathoner, winning the Barcelona Half Marathon in 1:04:01 before finishing second at the Boston Marathon this year.
Meanwhile, Brillian Kipkoech brings a personal best of 2:17:05 from the Hamburg Marathon, and Joan Kilimo, Magdalyne Masai and Mary Ngugi Cooper provide further Kenyan depth. Kilimo’s best is 2:18:40, Masai’s is 2:18:58, and Ngugi Cooper’s is 2:19:26.
Ethiopia is also well represented. Sutume Kebede has a personal best of 2:15:55, while Megertu Alemu and Degitu Azimeraw have times of 2:16:34 and 2:17:58 respectively.
Ultimately, the race may come down to how aggressively the leading group tackles Chicago’s famously flat course. The last four editions have produced either a world or American record, highlighting the route’s potential when conditions are favourable.
For Kosgei, the question is whether she can summon the form that produced her historic 2019 performance once again, having battled injuries that destabilised her career. All in all, she is excited to be back.
