Kenya’s Amos Kipruto during the Chicago Marathon on October 11, 2026./SCGREENGRAB
Kenya’s Amos Kipruto claimed the 2026 Chicago Marathon title on Sunday after pulling away from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda in the closing stages to secure victory in a personal best of 2:01:09.
The 34-year-old made his decisive move with about 10 kilometres remaining, breaking away from a leading group that had included Kiplimo, who entered the race with a personal best of 2:00:28.
Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, improved his previous personal best by 29 seconds to secure his first Chicago Marathon title in his third appearance at the event.
His previous outings in Chicago had yielded a third-place finish in 2024 and second place in 2025.
“It was either win or die for me,” Kipruto said after the race, explaining his determination to finally claim victory in the American city.
Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, followed by compatriot Milkesa Mengesha in 2:03:46. Kiplimo, who had been tipped to defend his crown, finished fourth in 2:04:18.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa retained her title in 2:13:33, securing back-to-back victories in Chicago.
Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi finished second in a personal best of 2:14:07 after challenging Feysa in the closing stages. Lokedi, whose previous best was 2:17:22, took more than three minutes off her previous mark.
Brigid Kosgei completed the podium in third place in 2:14:55 after dropping away from the leading group before the 30-kilometre mark.
Kenya’s Mary Ngugi Cooper finished fourth in 2:17:23, while Joan Kilimo placed fifth in 2:18:38, giving Kenyan athletes three places among the top five in the women’s race.
