Kenyan athletes are set to dominate the spotlight at the 2024 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 13, as they vie for a share of Ksh72.14 million up for grabs for the winners.
Nearly 50,000 runners will compete in the Windy City, but the focus will be on Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich and Amos Kipruto, both aiming to make history while paying tribute to fallen compatriot and former marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum.
This year's marathon will be particularly poignant, as the event commemorates the late Kiptum, who shattered the world record with a time of 2:00:35 in 2023 but tragically passed away earlier this year.
Chepngetich, a two-time Chicago Marathon champion, is eyeing her third victory, while Kipruto hopes to honour Kiptum’s legacy by clinching a victory in the men’s race.
The stakes are high for the athletes, with the top finisher in both the men’s and women’s categories set to pocket $100,000, equivalent to Ksh12.88 million.
Second-place finishers will take home $75,000 (Ksh9.7 million), while the third spot comes with a reward of $50,000 (Ksh6.44 million).
Even those who finish fourth and fifth will walk away with Ksh3.86 million and Ksh3.22 million, respectively.
Kipruto, the 2019 World Championship bronze medallist, faces stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese, who has clocked a personal best of 2:02:48, making him a formidable opponent.
Fellow Kenyan Vincent Ngetich, with a similar personal best of 2:03:13, also presents a significant challenge as he chases his first major marathon victory. For Kipruto, the stakes go beyond the prize money, as he is motivated by the memory of his friend and former rival, Kiptum.
Chepngetich, ranked fourth on the all-time marathon list, aims to reclaim her title after losing to Dutch runner Sifan Hassan last year. She will also have to contend with Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who clocked an impressive 2:15:55 at the Tokyo Marathon in March. Like Kipruto, Kebede is running to honour Kiptum, adding an emotional layer to the competition.
The elite Kenyan runners are not without other threats. The star-studded field includes Joyciline Jepkosgei, a London and New York City Marathon winner, who finished fourth in Chicago last year. Her experience in major races positions her as a serious contender for the top prize, further intensifying the battle for supremacy.
Despite the emotional weight and fierce rivalry, the Kenyan contingent is poised to showcase its marathon prowess in a race that has historically favoured their nation. The marathon not only offers a financial incentive but also serves as a platform for the athletes to honour Kiptum’s legacy and cement Kenya’s long-standing reputation as a powerhouse in distance running.
Race organisers have highlighted the special tribute planned for Kiptum, with several events set to celebrate his contributions to marathon running. For the athletes, however, the greatest tribute will be victory—transforming grief into glory on the streets of Chicago.