Kiplimo, Feysa Prepare to Defend Chicago Marathon Titles

Posted : 10 October 2026

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa will face strong international competition as they defend their titles at the 48th Chicago Marathon on Sunday. More than 55,000 athletes are expected to participate in the 26.2-mile race through Chicago, a course renowned for its fast times and history of record-breaking performances. With favourable weather conditions, this year’s event could provide another opportunity for athletes to challenge the limits of marathon running.

Kiplimo returns to Chicago after securing his first marathon victory at last year’s event, clocking 2 hours, 2 minutes and 23 seconds in only his second race over the distance. The Ugandan subsequently demonstrated his world-class form at the London Marathon in April, finishing third in a historic race where Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe set a world record of 1:59:30. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha placed second in 1:59:41, while Kiplimo finished in 2:00:28, becoming the third-fastest marathon runner in history.

The London performance marked the first time an athlete had officially completed a marathon in under two hours in a competitive race. Reflecting on his return to Chicago, Kiplimo said winning the title last year had motivated him to prepare thoroughly for another strong performance.

Kiplimo has also enjoyed considerable success over shorter distances. He set a half-marathon world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds in Lisbon in March, although Kejelcha later surpassed that mark with a time of 56:51 in Buenos Aires in August. Kiplimo’s achievements also include winning the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, in January, further strengthening his credentials ahead of the Chicago race.

Kenya’s Amos Kipruto is another leading contender in the men’s competition as he seeks his first Chicago Marathon crown. The 2022 London Marathon champion finished second behind Kiplimo in Chicago last year after placing third in 2024. He also finished fourth at the London Marathon in April, recording a personal best of 2:01:39. Kipruto believes his successive podium finishes in Chicago reflect steady progress and hopes to turn that momentum into a victory this year.

Ethiopian runner Milkesa Mengesha will also be aiming for a strong debut in Chicago. The 2024 Berlin Marathon champion enters the race with a personal best of 2:03:17, achieved when he won in Germany. Having also claimed the Shanghai Marathon title in 2025, Mengesha is targeting another personal best against a competitive international field.

On the women’s side, Feysa faces a tougher challenge as she attempts to retain the title she won in 2025 with a time of 2:14:57. The Ethiopian says she is in better condition than she was before last year’s race, giving her confidence ahead of the defence. She finished third at the Tokyo Marathon in March, where she had an opportunity to assess some of her leading rivals.

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei stands out as one of the strongest challengers. The former world-record holder won the Shanghai Marathon in a course-record 2:16:36 last year before claiming the Tokyo Marathon title in March with another course-record performance of 2:14:29. She finished ahead of Feysa in Tokyo, underlining the challenge facing the defending champion in Chicago.

Kosgei also has an impressive record at the Chicago Marathon, having won the women’s race in 2018 and 2019. Her 2019 victory produced a time of 2:14:04, which set a world record at the time. Returning to a course where she has enjoyed some of the finest performances of her career, the Kenyan will be determined to challenge for another title.

With Kiplimo and Feysa seeking consecutive victories and formidable rivals eager to take the crowns, the 48th Chicago Marathon promises an exciting contest. The depth of talent in both elite fields, combined with the course’s reputation for fast times, sets the stage for a potentially memorable race on Sunday, October 11.

Kiplimo, Feysa Prepare to Defend Chicago Marathon Titles

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