Defending champion Korir targeting sub 2:01 run in star-studded Chicago Marathon

Chicago Marathon defending champion John Korir will be back on the streets of Chicago on 12 October, ready to pick up back-to-back titles in a loaded elite field announced on Thursday, 14 August. 

Korir, whose 2:02:44 victory last year was the second fastest time in the race’s history, showed his Chicago triumph was no fluke with a convincing win at the Boston Marathon earlier this year.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

The Kenyan hopes to run sub-2:01, a feat only accomplished officially by the late Kelvin Kiptum when he set the world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago in 2023.

“I am confident that I will be able to retain my title this October,” said Korir, the eighth fastest man in history. “My training is going well, and I am focused on achieving another personal best.”

Kenyan midfielder represented by Kevin-Prince Boateng joins Bundesliga side

Korir will be joined by six men who have broken 2:04. Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat, second at last year’s Tokyo Marathon, is the second-fastest man in the field with a personal best of 2:02:55. 

Fellow Kenyans Amos Kipruto, who was third in Chicago last year, and Cybrian Kotut, who finished third in Boston, will all be vying for the podium, as will two-time Olympic marathon medalist Bashir Abdi of Belgium.

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world record-holder in the half marathon, will be contesting his second marathon to date after a runner-up finish in London earlier this year. 

Two-time New York champion Geoffrey Kamworwor of Kenya makes his Chicago debut after setting a PB of 2:04:33 with a victory in the Rotterdam Marathon in April. Daniel Simiu Ebenyo is also in the running. 

'There is still room for improvement' - Faith Kipyegon ahead of Tokyo World Championships

Conner Mantz leads the US contingent. After running 2:05:08 earlier this year in Boston, where the course is not record-eligible, Mantz will aim for the US (2:05:38) and North American (2:05:36) records. Canada’s Rory Linkletter will also be targeting the latter mark.

USA’s 2017 Chicago champion Galen Rupp, and Los Angeles Marathon champion Matt Richtman, are also in the field.

Men's Elite Field

John Korir (KEN) 2:02:44

Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) 2:02:55

Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13

CyBrian Kotut (KEN) 2:03:22

Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:03:36

Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:03:37

Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:04:01

Geoffrey Kamworwor (KEN) 2:04:23

Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39

Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) 2:06:04

Galen Rupp (USA) 2:06:07

Hiroto Inoue (JPN) 2:06:14

Zouhair Talbi (MAR) 2:06:39

Conner Mantz (USA) 2:07:47

Matt Richtman (USA) 2:07:56

Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:08:01

CJ Albertson (USA) 2:08:17

Hideyuki Tanaka (JPN) 2:09:27

Patricio Castillo (MEX) 2:10:40

Ryan Ford (USA) 2:11:08

Marc Scott (GBR) 2:11:19