Kiplimo dethroned as Amos Kipruto finally wins Chicago Marathon
David GOMBE
After finishing third in 2024 and second in 2025, Kenya’s Amos Kipruto finally won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, knocking off defending champion Jacob Kiplimo to claim the 2026 men’s title.
Kipruto this time surged to the front in the second half to clinch victory in emphatic fashion.
Kipruto took control after the 30km mark, beating defending champion Kiplimo. He finished in an unofficial time of 2:01:09, well clear of Kiplimo who finished fourth in 2:04:18.
Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila finished second with a time of 2:02:56.
This is Kipruto’s second win at a World Marathon Major, joining his 2022 victory in London. The 34-year-old came into the race with a personal best of 2:01:39 set at the London Marathon in April. Only the defending champion, Jacob Kiplimo, came into the race with a faster PB.
For Uganda’s legendary athlete Kiplimo, it was a disappointing defence. He was attempting to become the first runner to repeat in the men’s division in Chicago since the late Samuel Wanjiru pulled off the double in 2009 and 2010.
Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa Gejia won the women’s race at 2:13:33, just under a minute ahead of Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi, for her second straight Chicago victory.