Kenya's Amos Kipruto won the 2026 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, running a personal best of 2:01:09 to claim his first title at the World Marathon Major on his third attempt.
The 34-year-old, third in Chicago in 2024 and second in 2025, broke away from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo between the 30K and 35K marks and pulled clear over the closing miles, finishing 1 minute 47 seconds ahead of the field in Grant Park.
Second-fastest winning time ever
Kipruto's 2:01:09 is the second-fastest winning time in the race's history — only Kelvin Kiptum's 2:00:35 world record from 2023 was quicker. It also shaves 30 seconds off the personal best Kipruto set in London in April, and makes him the joint fifth-fastest marathon runner of all time.
Ethiopia's Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, with compatriot Milkesa Mengesha third in 2:03:46. Kiplimo, who had been on course-record pace alongside Kipruto at 30K, faded to fourth in 2:04:18. American Clayton Young was the top US finisher in seventh at 2:05:23.
"I came here in 2024, I became position three. 2025, I became position two," Kipruto said afterwards. "Everything is all about the mindset. It was tough, but I set my mind, and I said, 'Let's go.'"
Feysa defends women's crown
Ethiopia's Hawi Feysa defended her women's title in a personal best of 2:13:33. Kenya's Sharon Lokedi finished second and compatriot Brigid Kosgei third. In the wheelchair races, Switzerland's Marcel Hug won the men's division and Catherine Debrunner the women's, according to the organizers' results.
Sources:
Amos Kipruto breaks through for a first Chicago Marathon title — Olympics.com
Amos Kipruto Wins the Chicago Marathon On His Third Attempt — Marathon Handbook
The 34-year-old, third in Chicago in 2024 and second in 2025, broke away from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo between the 30K and 35K marks and pulled clear over the closing miles, finishing 1 minute 47 seconds ahead of the field in Grant Park.
Second-fastest winning time ever
Kipruto's 2:01:09 is the second-fastest winning time in the race's history — only Kelvin Kiptum's 2:00:35 world record from 2023 was quicker. It also shaves 30 seconds off the personal best Kipruto set in London in April, and makes him the joint fifth-fastest marathon runner of all time.
Ethiopia's Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, with compatriot Milkesa Mengesha third in 2:03:46. Kiplimo, who had been on course-record pace alongside Kipruto at 30K, faded to fourth in 2:04:18. American Clayton Young was the top US finisher in seventh at 2:05:23.
"I came here in 2024, I became position three. 2025, I became position two," Kipruto said afterwards. "Everything is all about the mindset. It was tough, but I set my mind, and I said, 'Let's go.'"
Feysa defends women's crown
Ethiopia's Hawi Feysa defended her women's title in a personal best of 2:13:33. Kenya's Sharon Lokedi finished second and compatriot Brigid Kosgei third. In the wheelchair races, Switzerland's Marcel Hug won the men's division and Catherine Debrunner the women's, according to the organizers' results.
Sources:
Amos Kipruto breaks through for a first Chicago Marathon title — Olympics.com
Amos Kipruto Wins the Chicago Marathon On His Third Attempt — Marathon Handbook
