The Windy City gets ready for another big one as the Chicago Marathon returns this afternoon with a world class elite field, record talk in the air, and a strong Irish name on the start list.
Last year’s men’s champion John Korir is back to defend his title, fresh off a win at the Boston Marathon in April. His 2:02:44 run in Chicago last year was the second-fastest ever recorded on the course, and he’s made no secret of wanting to go even quicker this time, aiming to join the late Kelvin Kiptum in the sub-2:01 club.
Lining up against him is Jacob Kiplimo, the Ugandan half-marathon world record-holder, tackling only his second full marathon after clocking 2:03:37 in London this spring. He’ll be joined by a strong Kenyan and East African contingent including Timothy Kiplagat, Amos Kipruto, and Geoffrey Kamworor, while American Conner Mantz will chase the long-standing US record of 2:05:38 after coming close on Boston’s hilly course earlier this year.
The women’s race looks just as fierce. With former winner Ruth Chepngetich out of the picture, Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu and Hawi Feysa headline a field packed with sub-2:20 talent. Alemu, the Valencia Marathon champion, ran 2:16:34 in London earlier this year, while Feysa arrives off the back of a 2:17:00 in Tokyo. Kenya’s Irine Cheptai and Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery, the latter now the second-fastest British woman of all time, will also be in the mix.
Start times
- Elite race start: 1.30pm (UK & Ireland time)
- Main field: shortly after
How to watch & Follow the Action
📺 Viewers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada can watch the Chicago Marathon live on FloTrack, with coverage starting from 1.15pm (BST). The stream will follow the elite men’s and women’s races from start to finish, with highlights and analysis available later in the day.
📺🇺🇸 If you are located in the USA VPN you can watch it on Chicago's Channel 5 here