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.
