Amos Kipruto waited three years for his moment in Chicago — third place, second, and now at last first. On Sunday, 11 October 2026, the Kenyan crossed the finish line of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:01:09 — a personal record and the fifth-fastest time in history. Behind him were left the Ethiopians and the Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, who this time could not hold on to his title.
The women's race unfolded no less dramatically. The Ethiopian Havi Feysa defended her title, snatching victory in the final mile from the Kenyan Sharon Lokedi — 2:13:33 against 2:14:07. Both set personal records, and Feysa climbed to fourth in the world rankings. Another Kenyan, Brigid Kosgei, rounded out the top three.
Behind these results lies not merely speed, but psychology and experience. Kipruto, the winner of London 2022, had previously lacked precisely the final resolve in Chicago. This time he did not let the leaders go after 30 km and dictated the pace himself. Feysa, for her part, showed how important it is to conserve strength until the last surge: her duel with Lokedi lasted almost the entire distance, but the Ethiopian found the strength for the decisive sprint.
The American debut deserves special mention. Emma Grace Hurley ran a marathon for the first time and finished seventh in 2:20:47 — a new US record among women debutants. She surpassed the previous achievement of Fiona O'Keeffe. At the same time, Clayton Young became the best American among the men, despite an injury.
These results recall a simple truth: in a marathon, as in a long game of chess, one wrong move at the midpoint of the distance can cost everything. Kipruto and Feysa proved that patience and precise calculation matter more than momentary speed. American runners, in turn, show that even in a sport dominated by East Africa, hard work at home bears fruit.
Chicago 2026 once again confirmed: the marathon remains an arena where an athlete's personal story weighs no less than the seconds on the scoreboard. The next season will show whether new names can challenge the established leaders.
