Amos Kipruto to honor Kelvin Kiptum at star-studded 2024 Chicago Marathon

Amos Kipruto to honor Kelvin Kiptum at star-studded 2024 Chicago Marathon

Festus Chuma 10:13 - 19.07.2024

In the streets of Chicago Amos Kipruto will aim for marathon glory honoring the late record-setter Kelvin Kiptum at this year's race.

2019 world marathon bronze medalist Amos Kipruto headlines an impressive elite athlete lineup for the 2024 Chicago Marathon, which also serves as a tribute to the late Kelvin Kiptum, last year’s world record setter.

Organizers are expecting another thrilling race as they unveiled a list packed with marathon luminaries and promising new talent.

Kipruto, a victor at the 2022 London Marathon and a consistent podium finisher in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, is set to compete in Chicago for the first time since placing seventh in Berlin last year.

"Having reached the podium in three Abbott World Marathon Majors including a victory in the 2022 TCS London Marathon, Kipruto now has his sights set on Chicago and he will also run in honor of Kiptum," stated the marathon's press release.

Kipruto will be challenged by Vincent Ngetich, another top contender from Kenya, who shares Kipruto’s personal best time of 2:03:13 and is eyeing his first major marathon victory.

Adding to the elite roster, Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya, a world 10,000m silver medalist, will make his much-anticipated marathon debut.

Ethiopia's contributions to the field are equally formidable. Dawit Wolde, who boasts a strong finish of 2:03:48 at Valencia 2023, and Amdework Walelegn, with a 2:04:50 performance from Rotterdam 2024, are among the top competitors.

John Korir, another Kenyan star, returns to Chicago where he set his personal best of 2:05:01 in 2022.

Alongside him, Huseydin Mohamed Esa from Ethiopia, who finished Amsterdam 2022 with a time of 2:05:05, will also be vying for a top spot.

The international flavor of the lineup is further enhanced by Japan’s Tatsuya Maruyama and Yuichi Yasui, who have shown their marathon capabilities in Berlin and Beppu, respectively.

This year’s marathon holds a special place as it commemorates Kelvin Kiptum’s historic achievement.

Kiptum, who tragically passed away earlier this year, set a world record at last year’s Chicago Marathon by becoming the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon, finishing in an astonishing 2:00:35.

His performance was not only a record-breaking feat but also a display of sheer dominance, winning the race by almost three and a half minutes ahead of the defending champion, Benson Kipruto.

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