Defending champions Jacob Kiplimo and Hawi Feysa return to headline the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday. More than 55,000 runners will run the 26.2-mile course in a race featuring deep international fields, past world record holders, and top-tier global distance stars.
Jacob Kiplimo Leads Men’s Field Following Record-Breaking Season
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo returns to defend the title he claimed last year in 2:02:23 during only his second career start at the distance. Since his victory 12 months ago, Kiplimo has built a remarkable competitive resume across cross-country, the half-marathon, and the full 26.2-mile distance. Last year, the Ugandan defending champion broke away at the 18-mile mark to win the race by more than a minute and a half.
In January, Kiplimo captured his third consecutive title at the World Cross Country Championships in Florida, finishing his race there in 28:18, before breaking the half-marathon world record in Lisbon with a time of 57:20 in March. That world mark stood until August when Yomif Kejelcha ran 56:51 in Buenos Aires. At April’s historic London Marathon, Kiplimo finished third in 2:00:28 as Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha became the first men to officially break two hours for the distance. Kiplimo’s London performance stands as the third-fastest marathon time in history and improved his own Ugandan national record by nearly two minutes, placing him just seven seconds faster than the Chicago course record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
Jacob Kiplimo, via Yahoo
“Coming back to Chicago is my special moment,” Kiplimo said.
Kiplimo added that winning last year provided him with significant energy to prepare well for his return, noting that his success on the roads and cross-country circuit has kept him sharp.
Amos Kipruto and International Challengers Chase Top Podium Spots
Kenya’s Amos Kipruto returns to Chicago aiming for his first victory after finishing third in 2024 and second behind Kiplimo last year in 2:03:54. Kipruto enters Sunday’s race holding a personal best of 2:01:39, which he established by finishing fourth at the London Marathon in April, crossing the line 71 seconds behind Kiplimo. Kipruto is no stranger to the Chicago course, having finished on the podium both times he has raced it.
Amos Kipruto, via Yahoo
“Being in position three in 2024, position two in 2025 and this is 2026 — I think this is a huge step for me,” Kipruto said.
Following his London run, Kipruto briefly switched to the track, lining up in the men’s 5,000m at the National Police Service Track and Field Championships on May 20, where he finished fourth in 14:02.12. The men’s elite field also features Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha, the 2024 Berlin Marathon and 2025 Shanghai Marathon champion, who makes his Chicago debut carrying the third-fastest entry time from his 2:03:17 triumph in Germany.
Milkesa Mengesha, via Yahoo
“People come here to run fast so I’m looking to run my personal best,” he said.
Other elite international contenders rounding out the deep field include USA runners Charles Hicks, Clayton Young—who ran 2:05:41—and Vincent Mauri, whose 2:05:54 time was recorded. Galen Rupp also returns alongside a strong contingent of global runners.
Hawi Feysa Defends Women’s Crown Against Brigid Kosgei and Sharon Lokedi
In the women’s division, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa returns to defend the title she secured in 2:14:57 during the 2025 race, when she finished more than two minutes ahead of compatriot Megertu Alemu. Feysa stated that she enters this year’s competition in superior physical condition following a third-place finish in 2:17:39 at the Tokyo Marathon in March.
Hawi Feysa, via Yahoo
“Compared to last year, I’m in better shape,” said Feysa.
Feysa faces formidable competition from Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, who set a then-world record of 2:14:04 at the 2019 Chicago Marathon after also winning the 2018 edition in 2:18:35. Kosgei won the Tokyo Marathon in March in a course-record 2:14:29—finishing 3 minutes and 10 seconds ahead of Feysa—and also captured last year’s Shanghai Marathon in a course-record 2:16:36.
Brigid Kosgei, via Yahoo
“Seven years after my world record, I am excited to return to Chicago — the place where history became reality,” Kosgei shared on her social media platforms. “Looking forward to being back on the incredible streets.”
Two-time Boston champion Sharon Lokedi also makes her Chicago debut, bringing a strong record on American courses that includes back-to-back Boston titles in 2025 and 2026 and a 2022 New York Marathon crown. Additional elite women in the field include Loice Chemnung and Mary Ngugi-Cooper, who completed the podium alongside Lokedi at Boston in April.
Prizes and Records on the Line Across the 26.2-Mile Course
Runners will compete across the 26.2-mile course winding through the city streets, where past performances have established high expectations for fast times. Kelvin Kiptum set the men’s course record of 2:00:35 in 2023, while Kosgei holds the women’s historical marker from her 2019 run.