President William Ruto has congratulated Kenya’s Amos Kipruto and Sharon LokediPresident William Ruto has congratulated Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, Sharon Lokedi and Brigid Kosgei after their impressive performances at the 2026 Chicago Marathon.
Kipruto won the men’s race in a personal best of 2:01:09, while Lokedi and Kosgei finished second and third, respectively, in the women’s contest.
“We salute Team Kenya for making us proud at the Chicago Marathon. Congratulations Amos Kipruto, on winning the men's race in a personal best time of 2:01:09,” Ruto said.
“We also commend Sharon Lokedi and Brigid Kosgei for finishing second and third, respectively, in the women's race.”
Kipruto, 34, made his decisive move with about 10 kilometres remaining, pulling away from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda to secure his first Chicago Marathon title.
The victory marked a personal milestone for the 2022 London Marathon champion, who had finished third in Chicago in 2024 before settling for second place in 2025.
Kipruto improved his previous personal best by 29 seconds, finishing ahead of Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila, who clocked 2:02:56, and compatriot Milkesa Mengesha, who came third in 2:03:46. Kiplimo finished fourth in 2:04:18.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa retained her title in 2:13:33, with Lokedi taking second place in a personal best of 2:14:07.
Lokedi shaved more than three minutes off her previous best of 2:17:22, which she had set while winning the Boston Marathon last year.
Kosgei completed the podium in 2:14:55, while fellow Kenyans Mary Ngugi Cooper and Joan Kilimo finished fourth and fifth in 2:17:23 and 2:18:38 respectively.
The results saw Kenyan athletes secure the men’s title and two podium places in the women’s race, drawing praise from the President.
