Amos Kipruto Wins Chicago Marathon in Historic 2:01:09

Amos Kipruto seized his first Chicago Marathon victory on Sunday, executing a decisive late breakaway to post an astonishing 2:01:09 and move into a tie as the fifth-fastest marathoner in history.

The 34-year-old Kenyan broke free from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo at mile 21, turning what had been a tactical duel into a dominant solo march through the city streets. Kipruto crossed the Grant Park finish line nearly two minutes ahead of the chasing pack, finally ascending to the top step of the podium after collecting third place in 2024 and runner-up honors in 2025.

Kiplimo, considered the pre-race favorite after his triumph a year ago, could not match the surge and ultimately drifted off the podium into fourth position. Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele Bikila, the reigning Tokyo Marathon champion competing on American soil for the first time, secured second place, while fellow countryman Milkesa Mengesha took third.

The victory caps a sustained stretch of elite marathon consistency for Kipruto, who previously earned a major title at the 2022 London Marathon. Earlier in the season, he had established his prior career mark during a fourth-place run in London.

The women’s competition yielded back-to-back dominance as Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa retained her Chicago crown in 2:13:33, carving out her own career-best performance. Feysa withstood persistent pressure from reigning Boston Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi before dropping her rival near the 35-kilometer mark, shortly after the designated pacemakers stepped off the course. Lokedi crossed 34 seconds later to take second.

Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei reinforced the front of the pack, securing third place. Kosgei, who owns six career World Marathon Major victories across London, Tokyo, and Chicago, entered Sunday following consecutive marathon wins in Shanghai and Tokyo.

Sunday’s flat, 26.2-mile course drew more than 55,000 runners under brisk, clear autumn skies that provided optimal conditions across all divisions. In the wheelchair competition, Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner delivered a historic performance, lowering her own women’s wheelchair world record to 1:33:16.