Kenya’s Amos Kipruto and Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa captured individual titles at the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, leading a historic day of racing across the streets of the Windy City. The event featured a world record in the women’s wheelchair race, an unofficial course record in the men’s wheelchair race, an American debut record, and record-setting charity fundraising.
Men’s Division: Kipruto Drops Kiplimo at 35K to Secure First Chicago Title
Amos Kipruto earned his first Chicago Marathon victory after finishing third in 2024 and second in 2025. Pushing an aggressive, metronomic pace alongside defending champion Jacob Kiplimo through the first 30 kilometers (reaching 30K in 1:25:28), Kipruto made his decisive move near the 35K mark.
Kipruto launched a devastating acceleration that broke Kiplimo, opening a commanding lead over the final seven kilometers. Kipruto crossed the finish line in a personal best of 2:01:09, recording the second-fastest winning time in Chicago Marathon history and finishing over a minute and a half ahead of second-place finisher Tadese Takele Bikila (2:02:56). Milkesa Mengesha closed late to take third in 2:03:46, while Kiplimo faded to fourth in 2:04:18.
In the domestic race, Clayton Young delivered a strong performance to finish as the top American man, placing seventh overall in 2:05:23. Right behind him, Charles Hicks placed eighth overall in 2:05:35, while Vincent Mauri finished tenth in 2:06:45 to round out a deep American performance. Additionally, veteran Galen Rupp clocked 2:06:55 in his first marathon since turning 40.
Top Men’s Finishers
- 1. Amos Kipruto (KEN) – 2:01:09
- 2. Tadese Takele Bikila (ETH) – 2:02:56
- 3. Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) – 2:03:46
- 4. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 2:04:18
- 5. Boki Diriba (ETH) – 2:05:01
- Top American: Clayton Young (USA) – 2:05:23 (7th overall)
Women’s Division: Feysa Retains Crown; Hurley Breaks American Debut Record
In the women’s elite field, defending champion Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia engaged in a grueling tactical duel with Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi. The pair ran shoulder to shoulder through the urban canyons past the 40K mark before Feysa accelerated over the final two kilometers. Feysa crossed the line in a new personal best of 2:13:33, with Lokedi finishing behind in 2:14:07. Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei claimed third place in 2:14:55.
Making her official marathon distance debut, Emma Grace Hurley led the domestic field by finishing as the top American woman, placing seventh overall in 2:20:47. Her performance broke the all-time American debut record for the women’s marathon. Australian Isobel Batt-Doyle crossed just ahead of Hurley in sixth place (2:20:38), breaking the Australian national record.
Top Women’s Finishers
- 1. Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 2:13:33
- 2. Sharon Lokedi (KEN) – 2:14:07
- 3. Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:14:55
- 4. Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) – 2:17:23
- 5. Joan Jepkosgei Kilimo (KEN) – 2:18:39
- Top American: Emma Grace Hurley (USA) – 2:20:47 (7th overall)
Wheelchair Divisions: Debrunner Smashes World Record, Hug Sets Unofficial Course Record
Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner delivered the standout mark of the morning, winning the women’s wheelchair division in an official world-record time of 1:33:16 (1:33:12 net). Debrunner broke her own previous world benchmark, maintaining full control throughout the 26.2-mile course.
In the men’s wheelchair division, Swiss star Marcel Hug put on another dominant performance, taking first place and crossing the line in an unofficial course-record time of 1:21:33.
Mass Race Impact: $50 Million Raised for Charity
Beyond the elite performances, event organizers confirmed that approximately 19,000 participants ran on behalf of official charity partners. The field is projected to surpass $50 million in total funds raised, setting an all-time fundraising record for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
