Kiplimo leads top Men’s Entries for 2026 Chicago Marathon
David GOMBE
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo will headline the men’s elite field at the 2026 Chicago Marathon as the fastest entry on paper.
Kiplimo, who will be hoping to retain his Chicago Marathon title on Sunday, 11th October 2026, leads the field with a personal best of 2:00:28 recorded at the London Marathon earlier this year.
The Ugandan heads a star-studded line-up that includes Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, who ran 2:01:39 in London and looks a major threat for Kiplimo, alongside Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha (2:03:17), Tadese Takele (2:03:23) and Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko (2:03:44).
Other notable entries in the men’s race include American star Charles Hicks (2:04:35), Japan’s Suguru Osako (2:04:55), Morocco’s M. Reda El Aaraby (2:05:18), Eritrea’s Yemane Haileselassie (2:06:06), American legend Galen Rupp (2:06:07), and Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer (2:06:34).
Kiplimo now returns to Chicago as the man to beat for this year’s edition.
In the women’s race, the field is equally stacked. Defending champion Hawi Feysa returns to defend her crown and will be challenged by two-time Chicago winner Brigid Kosgei, whose 2:14:04 remains the fastest listed personal best in the field.
Former New York champion Sharon Lokedi offers another compelling challenge, alongside Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede (2:15:55), Megertu Alemu (2:16:34) and Kenya’s Brillian Kipkoech (2:17:05).