Kenya’s Amos Kipruto claimed his first Chicago Marathon victory on Sunday, completing the race in 2 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds. After finishing third in 2024 and second last year, Kipruto’s performance marked a significant personal best, as he pulled away from the field in the final stages to secure a clear win.

Ethiopian Tadese Takele Bikila finished second with a time of 2:02:56, followed by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo in fourth place. Kiplimo, the defending champion and one of the fastest marathoners globally, faded in the closing miles, falling behind both Bikila and his compatriot Milkesa Mengesha.

Reflecting on his progression, Kipruto noted the importance of mindset in his breakthrough. “I came here in 2024, I became position three. [In] 2025, I became position two,” he said. “And now… everything is all about the mindset. It was tough, but I set my mind, and I said, ‘Let’s go.’”

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa successfully defended her title, crossing the finish line in 2:13:33. She competed closely with Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, a two-time Chicago winner, and Sharon Lokedi before pulling ahead with roughly one kilometer to go.

Feysa described the decisive moment when the pacemaker dropped out at around 33 kilometers. “It certainly became quite a battle,” she said. “Around 35km, that’s when I became pretty sure I had this in the bag.”

American runner Emma Grace Hurley made a notable debut by finishing seventh with a time of 2:20:47, setting the fastest debut marathon record for an American woman. Hurley acknowledged the challenge ahead as she prepared for her first marathon. “It was a little intimidating on the start line, knowing that I was about to run further than I ever had,” she said.

The Chicago Marathon continues to attract an elite international field, with top athletes pushing the limits of marathon running amid competitive weather conditions on the city’s streets.