Kenyan marathon runner Amos Kipruto finally conquered the Chicago Marathon on his third attempt, winning the men’s race in a personal-best time of 2:01:09 after two previous podium finishes.
The victory on Sunday, October 11, marked a breakthrough for Kipruto, who finished third in 2024 and second in 2025. This time, he went one better, delivering a commanding performance to claim the title and move closer to the course record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum.
Kiptum set the Chicago Marathon course record of 2:00:35 in 2023. Kipruto’s winning time was just 34 seconds outside that mark.
Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, while compatriot Milkesa Mengesha took third in 2:03:46. Uganda’s defending champion, Jacob Kiplimo, finished fourth in 2:04:18.
Kipruto turns previous disappointments into victory
Kipruto’s Chicago breakthrough followed two years of strong performances that had left him short of the title.
In 2024, he finished third in 2:04:50 behind Kenya’s John Korir, who won in 2:02:44, and Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa, who clocked 2:04:39.
He returned in 2025 hoping to improve on that result but finished second in 2:03:54. Kiplimo won the race in 2:02:23, while Kenya’s Alex Masai placed third in 2:04:37.
After finally securing the top prize, Kipruto said he had approached this year’s race determined to make his third appearance count.
“I thank the Chicago fraternity for allowing me to come back here and run,” he said after the race.
“The race today was good. I told myself I had to run well because I had been here twice before, finishing third in 2024 and second in 2025.”
He added: “For me, this race was a win or nothing.”
The Kenyan attributed his success to careful preparation, saying he had trained well ahead of the event.
“My preparations for the Chicago Marathon were very good. I had prepared well,” he said.
Strong season for Sawe’s training partner
Kipruto’s victory capped a productive season that had already seen him post a strong performance at the London Marathon in April.
He finished fourth in 2:01:39 on April 26, missing out on a podium place in a race dominated by his training partner, Sabastian Sawe.
Sawe made history in London by running 1:59:30, becoming the first man to complete an officially recognised marathon in under two hours. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, while Kiplimo took third in 2:00:28.
Kipruto later turned his attention to the track, competing in the men’s 5,000 metres at the National Police Service Track and Field Championships on May 20. He finished fourth in 14:02.12.
Andrew Alamisi won in 13:49.98, followed by Stephen Kipkech in 13:55.22 and Naibei Mayebei in 13:57.01.
His Chicago triumph now gives him a major marathon title to add to his growing list of achievements and rewards the persistence that kept him returning to a course where victory had previously proved elusive.
Lokedi finishes second in women’s race
Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi also reached the podium in Chicago, finishing second in the women’s race in 2:14:07.
Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa successfully defended her title, winning in 2:13:33. Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei completed the podium in 2:14:55.
Lokedi’s second-place finish came during an otherwise successful 2026 campaign. She began the year with a runner-up finish at the New York Half Marathon in 1:07:10 before retaining her Boston Marathon title in April with a time of 2:18:51.
She later finished seventh at the New York 10K in 31:44 but returned to winning form at the Boston 10K, clocking 31:28.
Although Lokedi missed out on the Chicago title, her performance alongside Kipruto’s victory gave Kenya two podium finishes at one of the world’s leading marathon events.
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