Ruth Chepngetich’s (KEN) solo campaign to rewrite the record books dominated the day as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon solidified its reputation as a record-setting event.
Following in the footsteps of the late Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world record in Chicago last fall (2:00:35), Chepngetich relentlessly pushed herself toward the finish, breaking the tape in 2:09:56 (unofficial).
On the men’s side, John Korir (KEN) made a bold statement by running a personal best and the second fastest time in Chicago’s history, 2:02:44.
In her signature style of racing, Chepngetich set a blistering pace from the beginning. Only Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who hinted at a world record attempt, tried to stay with Chepngetich, a move that saw her run the second half of the race eight minutes slower than the first half. Chepngetich’s half marathon split, 1:04:16, is the fifth fastest half marathon time in history and the fastest ever run on U.S. soil. The second half of the race emerged as a duel between Chepngetich and the clock. With a 4:45 25th mile, Chepngetich strode to victory, running nearly two minutes faster than Tigst Assefa’s world record (2:11:53). Chepngetich, who is self-coached, now owns the first, fourth and fifth fastest times ever run in Chicago.
Following the race, Chepngetich declared that breaking the world record was “my plan.”
“I was not worried [about the pace]. I was feeling good. I decided we will go with that pace,” said Chepngetich. “My plan was 2:09 or 2:10. The world record is not easy. You need focus and determination.”
Chepngetich’s world record is the seventh set in Chicago, making the Bank of America Chicago Marathon home to both the men’s and women’s current world records.
“Ruth has put herself on world record pace in previous events,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “She knows what it feels like, and she is not unfamiliar with that. Today is an example of her fearless running style. I felt she would get the record – it was a matter of how, not when.”
More than seven and a half minutes after Chepngetich broke the world record, Kebede finished second in 2:17:32 while Irine Cheptai (KEN) finished third in 2:17:51.
Unlike the women’s race, the men’s race quickly formed into a tight pack of 10 athletes that dwindled to seven by 30K, but not for long. Between 30K and 35K, John Korir (KEN) hit the gas pedal, running a pair of 4:25 and 4:22 miles to leave his competition fighting for the last two spots on the podium. Korir captured the victory in Chicago in 2:02:44, making him the sixth fastest man in history.
“I knew I was in 2:02 shape,” said Korir. “I knew I wanted to close the season with my PB (personal best), and I did. My training was good and when I was training, my coach told me, ‘You can run 2:02.’ I believed him.”
Mohamed Esa (ETH) put some distance between himself and Amos Kipruto (KEN) over the final meters of the race, finishing second overall in 2:04:39. Kipruto finished third in 2:04:50.
More than 50,000 runners finished the 46th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the most in race history.
The 47th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on October 12, 2025.
