Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa claimed decisive victories in the men’s and women’s divisions of the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, each crossing the finish line well ahead of their competitors.

Kiplimo was on a world record pace for most of the race and while he ultimately fell short of the record, the Ugandan secured the men’s title in a personal-best time of of 2:02:23 — finishing an impressive 1 minute and 31 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion. Kiplimo’s finishing time of 2:02:23 also ranks seventh all time, and set the Ugandan national record.  Alex Masai, also of Kenya, placed third with a time of 2:04:37; an American Conner Mantz followed in fourth, clocking a new U.S. record of 2:04:43.  Mantz beat out Khalid Khannouchi, who posted a 2:05:38 finishing time in 2002.

The 24-year-old Kiplimo has had a remarkable season. Earlier this year, he shattered the men’s half-marathon world record by becoming the first athlete to complete the distance in under 57 minutes. He also finished second in his marathon debut in London and holds Olympic and World Championship bronze medals in the 10,000 meters.

In the women’s race, 26-year-old Feysa delivered a dominant performance, winning in 2:14:56 to lead an Ethiopian sweep of the top two spots. Her compatriot Megertu Alemu finished 2 minutes and 22 seconds behind, while Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri took third with a time of 2:18:03.  The win for Feysa was the first World Marathon Major of her career, with her time of 2:14:56 ranking fifth all time among women finishers at the Chicago Marathon. For the American women, Natosha Rogers was the highest finisher, posting a personal best of 2:23:51 to finish sixth.

Editorial credit: Denis Kuvaev / Shutterstock.com