Chicago Rewrites History

The Chicago Marathon — the FASTEST marathon in the world. After Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich obliterated the women’s world record by running 2:09:56, this course has both the men’s and women’s world records, so there’s really no argument. Chepngetich has taken almost two minutes off Ethiopian Tigist Assefa’s previous world record of 2:11:53, set in Berlin in September last year. And yes, Berlin has the most world records, but Chicago has them now.

With her third Chicago Marathon win, Chepngetich becomes the first woman ever to break 2:10:00. On Sunday she was bested by only 10 male runners. She broke the finish line tape more than eight minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede. Her record is still to be ratified by World Athletics but, assuming it is, it rewrites history.

“I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream,” Chepngetich told World Athletics after the race. She praised her compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago last year before being killed in a car crash in February 2024.

“I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.”

John Korir was victorious in the men’s race with a time of 2:02:43, the second-fastest ever time in Chicago, behind Kiptum’s world record of 2:00:35 last year. Ethiopia’s Huseydin Mohamed Esa took silver in 2:04:39, just over two minutes behind Korir, with Kenya’s Amos Kipruto hot on his heels for 2:04:50.

CJ Albertson was the first American home, placing seventh with a PR of 2:08:17. The next US runner, Zach Panning, claimed the 10th spot in 2:09:16 with his own PR.

Susanna Sullivan, a sixth-grade math teacher from Virginia, was the fastest American woman home in 2:21:56. It’s the 10th-fastest time ever by an American woman but, despite speculation we might see a US record attempt from a strong gathered field, Emily Sisson’s Chicago 2022 record of 2:18:29 still stands. Keira D’Amato was forced to pull out after 10km and Betsy Saina, another contender, had an injury-plagued build-up.

Beyond the elites, the energy on the course continues to grow and grow and grow. The vibes are immaculate, and the community continues to show up for the runners in an amazing way. From first timers to PRs, Chicago is on the rise.

Enjoy the scenes, get yourself out here next year, and onward to NYC.