Nine Kenyans fight for Ksh12.9 million winners prize money in Chicago Marathon

A year on from Kelvin Kiptum’s stunning world record run of 2:00:35 to storm to victory, the Windy City will pay tribute to the Kenyan following his tragic passing earlier this year in a car crash.

His Kenyan compatriots led by 2019 World Marathon champion and bronze medalists Ruth Chepngetich and Amos Kipruto will look to bag the double in honour of the departed World Record holder.

However, the Kenyan contingent is facing a tough test with Ethiopian Birhanu Legese, a 2:02:48 runner from the 2019 Berlin Marathon presenting the toughest test for Kipruto who says he is running in honour of his friend, Kiptum.

Kipruto will have to fend off fellow Kenyan Vincent Ngetich, who has an identical personal best of 2:03:13 and is seeking his first major victory.

According to rrmonlineguide the winners of the men's and women's marathons are bound to each receive $100,000 (Ksh12.9 million).

On her part, Chepngetich, fourth on the all-time list, and a two-time (2021,2022) winner is out to reclaim the title for her third gong in the race, having been denied by Dutch Sifan Hassan (2:13:44).

Ruth Chepngetich out to bag third Chicago Marathon title in loaded field

Just like Kipruto, Chepngetich faces a motivated Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia, who not only brings an impressive personal best of 2:15:55 from her stunning victory at the Tokyo Marathon in March but also a resolve to honour former teammate Kiptum.

“I am extremely happy to come back to Chicago and run on a course that has proven to be very fast,” Kebede, who had a disappointing 15th place finish in last year’s race told organisers when she was named for the race in July.

“After seeing what my teammate (Kiptum) did last year, I want to come to Chicago to do something great.”

It is not a two-horse race, however, far from it. The duo goes up against a star-studded field that has Joyciline Jepkosgei, who has won at the London and New York City Marathons and was fourth in the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

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 Elite women’s field

1.    Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 2:14:18 (Chicago, 2022)

2.    Sutume Kebede, ETH, 2:15:55 (Tokyo, 2024)

3.    Joyciline Jepkosgei, KEN, 2:16:24 (London, 2024)

4.    Degitu Azimeraw, ETH, 2:17:58 (London, 2021)

5.    Ashete Bekere Dido, ETH, 2:17:58 (Tokyo, 2022)

6.    Hiwot Gebrekidan, ETH, 2:17:59 (Valencia, 2023)

7.    Irine Cheptai, KEN, 2:18:22 (Hamburg, 2024)

8.    Keira D’Amato, USA, 2:19:12 (Houston, 2022)

9.    Betsy Saina, USA, 2:19:17 (Tokyo, 2024)

10. Dorcas Tuitoek, KEN, 2:20:02 (Amsterdam, 2023)

11. Sara Hall, USA, 2:20:32 (Chandler, 2020)

12. Emma Bates, USA, 2:22:10 (Boston, 2022)

13. Buze Diriba, ETH, 2:23:11 (Toronto, 2023)

14. Sara Vaughn, USA, 2:23:24 (Chicago, 2023)

15. Susanna Sullivan, USA, 2:24:27 (London, 2023)

16. Gabi Rooker, USA, 2:24:35 (Chicago, 2023)

17. Lindsay Flanagan, USA, 2:24:43 (Gold Coast, 2022)

18. Nell Rojas, USA, 2:24:51 (Boston, 2023)

19. Stacey Ndiwa, KEN, 2:25:29 (Los Angeles, 2024)

20. Laura Thweatt, USA, 2:25:38 (London, 2017)

21. Lauren Hagans, USA, 2:25:56 (Duluth, 2023)

22. Annie Frisbie, USA, 2:26:18 (New York, 2021)

23. Jackie Gaughan, USA, 2:27:08 (Berlin, 2023)

24. Dominique Scott, RSA, 2:27:31 (Chicago, 2023)

25. Diane Nukuri, USA, 2:27:50 (London, 2015)

26. Makena Morley, USA, 2:30:25 (Los Angeles, 2024)

27. Anne Marie Blaney, USA, 2:30:43 (Orlando, 2024)

28. Andrea Pomaranski, USA, 2:31:06 (Houston, 2023)

29. Amy Davis-Green, USA, 2:33:09 (Orlando, 2024)

30. Aubrey Frentheway, USA, Debut

Elite men’s field

1.    Birhanu Legese, ETH, 2:02:48 (2019 Berlin)

2.    Amos Kipruto, KEN, 2:03:13 (Tokyo, 2022)

3.    Vincent Ngetich, KEN, 2:03:13 (Berlin, 2023)

4.    Dawit Wolde, ETH, 2:03:48 (Valencia, 2023)

5.    Amdework Walelegn, ETH, 2:04:50 (Rotterdam, 2024)

6.    John Korir, KEN, 2:05:01 (Chicago, 2022)

7.    Huseydin Mohamed Esa, ETH, 2:05:05 (Amsterdam, 2022)

8.    Jemal Yimer, ETH, 2:06:08 (Seoul, 2024)

9.    Kyohei Hosoya, JPN, 2:06:35

10. Toshiki Sadakata, JPN, 2:07:05

11. Tatsuya Maruyama, JPN, 2:07:50 (Berlin, 2022)

12. Yuichi Yasui, JPN, 2:08:48 (Beppu, 2023)

13. Jorge Castelblanco, PAN, 2:09:24 (Seville, 2024)

14. Zach Panning, USA, 2:09:28 (Chicago, 2022)

15. Brian Shrader, USA, 2:09:46 (Chicago, 2023)

16. CJ Albertson, USA, 2:09:53 (Boston, 2024)

17. Tomoki Yoshioka, JPN, 2:10:03 (Beppu, 2024)

18. Reed Fischer, USA, 2:10:34 (Boston, 2022)

19. Nathan Martin, USA, 2:10:45 (Duluth, 2023)

20. Colin Mickow, USA, 2:11:22 (Chandler, 2020)

21. Kevin Salvano, USA, 2:11:26 (Chicago, 2023)

22. Jacob Thomson, USA, 2:11:40 (Gold Coast, 2023)

23. Turner Wiley, USA, 2:11:59 (Chicago, 2022)

24. JP Flavin, USA, 2:13:27 (Boston, 2023)

25. Charlie Sweeney, USA, 2:13:41 (Sacramento, 2023)

26. Ben Kendell, USA, 2:15:49 (Sacramento, 2022)

27. Phil Migas, CAN, 2:15:53 (Hamburg, 2024)

28. Daniel Ebenyo, KEN, Debut

29. Alex Maier, USA, Debut

30. Isai Rodriguez, USA, Debut