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Ruth Chepng’etich will be aiming for her third Chicago Marathon win and a potential record-breaking performance this Sunday.
Two-time Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich is setting her sights on making history as she prepares for this year’s edition of the prestigious race.
Having already claimed back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022, the Kenyan star will return to the streets of Chicago with her eye firmly on a third triumph and the possibility of smashing the course record in the process.
Chepng’etich, who is the fourth fastest woman in marathon history, has already proven herself a force to be reckoned with.
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Her personal best of 2:14:18, set at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, is one of the fastest ever recorded, and she is determined to push the boundaries even further this time around.
"I am hoping to win for the third time, as I was the runner-up last time, and I am optimistic for the best outcome," Chepng’etich shared in the lead-up to Sunday’s race.
Last year, despite finishing second behind Sifan Hassan, she clocked an impressive 2:14:18, reinforcing her dominance on the Chicago course.
"I will be aiming for a course record and to improve my personal best, and I’m hoping for better race conditions in terms of the weather."
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Indeed, the Kenyan runner will not only be racing against the clock but also facing a formidable lineup of athletes hungry for victory.
Her compatriot, Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2021 London Marathon winner, is expected to offer stiff competition.
Jepkosgei finished fourth in Chicago last year with a time of 2:17:23, but improved her personal best to 2:16:24 in London earlier this year, signaling she is in peak form for a showdown.
Adding to the intensity of the women’s race is Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who is also a sub-2:17 marathoner.
Kebede, alongside other Ethiopian standouts such as Degitu Azimeraw, Ashete Bekere, and Hiwot Gebrekidan, will provide a fierce challenge to Chepng’etich’s quest for a third title.
The race also includes rising Kenyan star Irine Cheptai, who clocked an impressive 2:18:22 at the Hamburg Marathon in April, showing she too is a serious contender.
For Chepng’etich, the drive to win goes beyond personal glory; it’s about making her mark in the history books.
"The Chicago Marathon has amazing supporters along the course, cheering for us. When they shout 'Go! Go!' it gives me energy to push harder," she said, acknowledging the crucial role the crowd plays in motivating her during the grueling race.
In her preparation for Chicago, Chepng’etich has shown her endurance and versatility, despite a less-than-ideal result in April's London Marathon, where she finished ninth in 2:24:36.
She bounced back in August, however, with an impressive victory at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon, clocking 1:05:58. That win further cemented her position as one of the world’s leading long-distance runners.
With the likes of Keira D’Amato and Betsy Saina also in the mix—both of whom have personal bests under 2:20—this year's Chicago Marathon is set to be one of the most competitive in recent history.
The presence of top U.S. athletes like Sara Hall and Emma Bates only adds to the excitement surrounding the event.
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