Cheptai back in Chicago chasing first WMM victory
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 15.08.25. | 16:05
A new champion will be crowned in the women’s race in the absence of defending champion Ruth Chepngetich
Kenya’s World Cross Country champion (2017), Irene Cheptai, will be back on the streets of Chicago on Sunday, 12 October, looking to clinch her first World Marathon Majors (WMM) victory.
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A new champion will be crowned in the women’s race, but several athletes will be returning to Chicago looking to improve on their previous outings.
Organisers have named a loaded elite field headlined by Valencia Marathon winner Megertu Alemu, a 2:16:34 runner who placed third in 2023, and compatriot Hawi Feysa, who clinched bronze in this year’s Tokyo Marathon in a 2:17:00 personal best (PB).
Cheptai heads back to Chicago with unfinished business after her third-place finish here in 2024, in a race where Ruth Chepngetich broke the World Record in 2:09:56. She clocked 2:17:51, behind Sutume Asefa’s 2:17:32.
The 33-year-old runner is lining up for her second marathon of the year, keen to make amends after missing out on the podium in April’s Boston Marathon, clocking 2:21:32 for fourth. Sharon Lokedi (2:17:22), Hellen Obiri (2:17:41), and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:18:06) were on the podium.
Alemu’s third-place finish in Chicago in 2023 was her second WMM podium finish that year, following her runner-up placing in London. She went on to place fourth in London last year, clocking a PB of 2:16:34, then came close to that in Valencia with her 2:16:49 triumph.
The trio goes up against other contenders, including Kenya's Mary Ngugi-Cooper, a 2:20:22 runner, Ethiopia’s Bedatu Hirpa, Haven Hailu Desse, and marathon debutante Ejgayehu Taye, the 2023 world 10,000m bronze medalist.
Leading Women
Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:16:34
Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:17:00
Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:17:51
Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) 2:18:27
Haven Hailu Desse (ETH) 2:19:17
Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:20:22
Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR) 2:21:24
Lindsay Flanagan (USA) 2:23:31
Natosha Rogers (USA) 2:23:51
Florencia Borelli (ARG) 2:24:18
Gabi Rooker (USA) 2:24:29
Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:40
Melody Julien (FRA) 2:25:01
Philippa Bowden (GBR) 2:25:47
Aubrey Frentheway (USA) 2:27:14
Maggie Montoya (USA) 2:27:50
Loice Chemnung (KEN) debut
Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) debut
Emily Venters (USA) debut
