Well, RunBlogRun is covering the 46th Bank of America Chicago Marathon onsite and remotely. We’ll have the thoughtful eyes of David Monti (Race Results Weekly and photographer Jane Monti), Kevin Morris (photographer) and myself, and in this thoughtful preview, Deji Ogeyinginbo, who covers the event from the great state of Georgia.
The big elephant in the room is the late Calvin Kiptum, who put the Chicago Marathon back in the marathon driver’s seat with his world record time of 2 hours, zero minutes and 35 seconds (2:00:35). Kiptum and his trainer died in a car accident in February 2024.
Kiptum’s legacy is one that the best athletes will always compare to his master race in the Windy City in 2023.
2024 Chicago Marathon. Ruth Cepngetic chases history while new faces emerge in the men’s race
This weekend, the 45th edition of the Chicago Marathon will bring the world’s best marathoners to the speedy streets of the Windy City. As the Abbott World Marathon’s fifth major of the year, the race is set for exciting performances in 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 the quest for history.
Women’s race. Chepngetic’s shot at glory
On the women’s side, Ruth Cepngetich enters as a favorite. The Kenyan star won the race in 2021 and 2022 and finished second last year, running an incredible 2:15:37, the fastest unbeaten 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 Cepngetic can recapture that form and win on Sunday, he will join Khalid Khannouchi as one of the only athletes with three wins in Chicago.
However, questions about his fitness remain. Cepngetic has not competed since his disappointing 2:24:36 in London earlier this year. Chicago’s field is full of strong contenders, and Cepngetic will need to be at his best to come out on top.
One of her toughest rivals is Joycelyn Jepkosgei, who finished third in the London Marathon earlier this year in a personal best of 2:16:24. Ethiopian stars Degitu Azemiraw, Ashet Bekere Dido and Hiwot Gebrekidan also bring strong credentials, making the women’s race a hotly contested affair.
The American field is just as interesting, with three of the top five in US history set to compete. Emily Sisson’s American record of 2:18:29, set two years ago in Chicago, could be in jeopardy, with Emma Bates and Kyra D’Amato expected to challenge the mark. Bates, the 2021 runner-up in Chicago, and D’Amato, who briefly held the American record last year, will both be aiming to make history.
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, will not be back to defend his title due to his tragic death earlier this year. In his honor, the race organizers will observe a minute’s silence at the starting line. A lack of tension leaves the race open as several men try to take advantage of the opportunity to become Chicago Marathon champions.
The fastest man in the field is Ethiopian Birhanu Legese with 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. The Kenyan duo of Vincent Ngetich and Amos Kipruto, who both share an identical personal best of 2:03:13. Kipruto has four podiums, including a win at the 2022 London Marathon, but has yet to compete this season due to injury. Ngetic, who finished third in Tokyo this year and second in Berlin last September, enters the race as a slight favourite.
Another exciting prospect is Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, who will be making his marathon debut. Ebenyo has already been recognized on the track, winning a silver in the 10,000m World Championships and another silver in the half marathon at the World Road 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 for both men and women.
