Loice Chemnung at a past race/ HANDOUTNational 10,000m champion Loice Chemnung is chasing her first marathon victory as she prepares for this weekend’s Chicago Marathon, determined to improve on her fourth-place finish at last year’s race.
The 29-year-old Kenyan has steadily built her credentials over the 42km distance since making her marathon debut in Chicago last year, where she clocked an impressive 2:18:24. Chemnung had earlier gained her first marathon experience as a pacemaker at the Osaka Women’s Marathon, before returning to the Japanese race in January this year in a similar role. Her teammate Stella Chesang of Uganda went on to win the race in 2:19:31.
Her marathon breakthrough came in Boston on April 20, when she ran 2:19:35 to finish second behind compatriot Sharon Lokedi, who won in 2:18:51. Chemnung now hopes to go one better in Chicago and convert her growing experience into her first victory over the distance.
“I am thankful and excited to toe the line for the Chicago Marathon. I will try to improve my time from last year,” she said. Although still developing her marathon credentials, Chemnung has established herself as a formidable road racer, particularly over the half marathon and 10km distances.
She won the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon in 1:07:27 in 2024 and has claimed back-to-back victories in Malaga, improving from 1:05:58 in 2024 to 1:05:46 in 2025. She was also runner-up at the Condor Executive Antrim Coast race in 2024 and 2025.
Her 10km record includes victories in Buri (31:26) in 2025, Hong Kong (30:25) and Brasov (30:13) in 2024. Chemnung has enjoyed an equally impressive 2026 campaign. After pacing in Osaka, she obliterated the Barcelona Half Marathon course record with 1:04:01, lowering the previous mark of 1:04:13 set by Joyciline Jepkosgei in 2025. She followed that performance with her runner-up finish in Boston before returning to the track, where she won the Athletics Kenya National Championships 10,000m title in 31:46.90.
Diana Wanza was second in 31:56.80, with Selah Busienei third in 32:01.85. Chemnung’s most recent outing came on June 28, when she won the Port Gentil 10km in 30:52, finishing ahead of Ethiopians Axumawit Embaye (31:25) and Aynalem Desta (31:27).
With her speed on the shorter distances and growing strength over 42km, Chemnung will head to Chicago, seeking to turn her steady marathon progression into a maiden win.
