by Alfonz Juck
Rupp and TiruneshCHICAGO (USA, Oct 8): Galen Rupp became the first American male runner for 15 years to win the Bank of America Chicago marathon, clocking 2:09:20 after pulling away from a pack of five which included Abel Kirui in the 23rd mile. The Olympic bronze medallist took 38 seconds from his PB as he came home 28 seconds clear of Kirui. Bernard Kipyego was third with 2:10:23. A lead group of 20 went through halfway in 66:10. World record-holder Dennis Kimetto was among them but dropped out before 25km. Rupp’s 5km split to 40km was easily his quickest of the race at 14:25. His three previous marathon resulted in 1st (Olympic trials), 3rd (Olympics) and 2nd (Boston ’17). Ethiopian women favourite Tirunesh Dibaba recorded the sixth fastest time in history as she won the women’s race in 2:18:31 (also 2nd fastest in Chicago). In third (behind Brigid Kosgei’s 2:20:22 PB), Jordan Hasay became the second fastest American of all time with 2:20:57. Dibaba led a group of five athletes (including Hasay) through 5km in 16:08 (2:16:08 pace) and they were all still there at halfway (69:10). Former world half-marathon record-holder Florence Kiplagat, part of that quintet, dropped out after 25km. Dibaba pulled away from Kosgei after 30km and led by 35 seconds by 35km with a 16:22. After a third and a second in London, it was a first marathon victory for the triple Olympic track champion. “It’s just incredible,” Rupp was quoted as saying by NBC Chicago. “You train so hard year in and year out, day in and day out and to have a race like this where it all comes together and be able to win in a city that really is such a special place to me, given that my dad grew up here – words can’t express the feeling of crossing the line.”
