by Deji Ogeyingbo
Well, RunBlogRun is covering the 46th Bank of America Chicago Marathon on-site and remotely. We will have the thoughtful eyes of David Monti (Race Results Weekly and photographer Jane Monti), Kevin Morris (photographer), plus myself, and, with this thoughtful preview, Deji Ogeyinginbo, who is covering the event from the great state of Georgia.
The big elephant in the room is the late Kelvin Kiptum, who put the Chicago marathon back on the marathon driver’s seat with his world record of 2 hours, zero minutes, and 35 seconds (2:00:35). Kiptum and his coach were killed in an auto accident in February 2024.
Kiptum’s legacy is that the top athletes will always be compared to his masterful race in the Windy City in 2023.
2024 Chicago Marathon: Ruth Chepngetich Chases History While New Faces Emerge in the Men’s Race
This weekend, the 45th edition of the Chicago Marathon will bring together some of the world’s best marathoners on the fast streets of the Windy City. As the fifth Abbott World Marathon Major of the year, the race is set to deliver thrilling performances across both the men’s and women’s fields. With no clear favorites and much at stake, it promises to be a race filled with redemption, new beginnings, and a quest for history.
The Women’s Race: Chepngetich’s Shot at Glory
On the women’s side, Ruth Chepngetich enters as the favorite. The Kenyan star won this race in 2021 and 2022, and last year finished second, running an incredible 2:15:37—the fastest non-winning time in marathon history. Her personal best of 2:14:18, set on this course two years ago, remains the second-fastest time ever run by a woman. If Chepngetich can recapture that form and win on Sunday, she will join Khalid Khannouchi as one of the only athletes to claim three victories in Chicago.
However, questions remain about her fitness. Chepngetich has not raced since her disappointing 2:24:36 finish in London earlier this year. The field in Chicago is stacked with strong contenders, and Chepngetich will need to be at her best to come out on top.
One of her toughest challengers is Joyciline Jepkosgei, who finished third in the London Marathon earlier this year, setting a personal best of 2:16:24. Ethiopian stars Degitu Azemiraw, Ashete Bekere Dido, and Hiwot Gebrekidan also bring strong credentials, making the women’s race a tightly contested affair.
The American field is equally exciting, with three of the top five fastest women in U.S. history set to compete. Emily Sisson’s American record of 2:18:29, set in Chicago two years ago, could be under threat, with Emma Bates and Keira D’Amato expected to challenge that mark. Bates, the runner-up in Chicago in 2021, and D’Amato, who briefly held the American record last year, will both be aiming to make history.
The Men’s Race: A New Champion Will Rise
On the men’s side, last year’s champion Kelvin Kiptum, who set a world record of 2:00:35 on this very course, won’t be back to defend his title due to his tragic passing earlier this year. In his honor, the race organizers will hold a moment of silence at the start line. Kiptum’s absence leaves the race wide open, with several men looking to seize the opportunity to become a Chicago Marathon champion.
The fastest man in the field is Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia, who has a personal best of 2:02:48. Legese, a two-time Tokyo Marathon winner, hasn’t quite matched those performances in recent years, but he’s still a strong contender. Hot on his heels will be the Kenyan duo of Vincent Ngetich and Amos Kipruto, both of whom have identical personal bests of 2:03:13. Kipruto has four podium finishes at World Marathon Majors, including a victory at the 2022 London Marathon, but he has yet to race this season due to injury. Ngetich, who took third in Tokyo this year and second in Berlin last September, enters the race as a slight favorite.
Another exciting prospect is Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya, who will be making his marathon debut. Ebenyo has already made a name for himself on the track, winning silver in the 10,000 meters at the World Championships and another silver in the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships. His debut on the marathon scene is highly anticipated, and he could be a surprise contender.
With fast times, fierce competition, and plenty of stories of determination, the 2024 Chicago Marathon promises to be an exciting race on both the men’s and women’s sides.
