Mary Ngugi eager to race against star-studded Chicago field

Former world half marathon silver medalist, Mary Ngugi is among the notable female stars who will light up the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon slated for 13 October.

Ngugi will be hoping to improve on her sixth-place finish at the Boston Marathon held on 15 April. Ngugi completed the course in 2:24:24, approximately two minutes shy of winner Hellen Obiri.

Announcing the news on her social media handles, Ngugi noted that she was looking forward to competing against the best names in the game.

Ruth Chepngetich out to bag third Chicago Marathon title in loaded field

She will be up against other Kenyan stars like Ruth Chepngetich, Irine Cheptai, Dorcas Tuitoek, and Stacey Ndiwa.

Jepkosgei has a personal best of 2:16:24 set in the London Marathon this year, Cheptai set an incredible PB of 2:18:22 in Hamburgh, and Tuitoek who registered 2:20:22 in Amsterdam last year.

“My next race. Another one off the bucket list. I am very excited to be lining up at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for my very first time against some of the fastest women in the world. All roads lead to the Chicago Marathon. I can’t wait!” she announced.

The 35-year-old started her year on a high, winning the Roma-Ostia half-marathon in March. During that race, she crossed the line in 1:07:38 to register her lifetime best in the Italian City.

The last time she surpassed that record was during the Houston Marathon eight years ago when she claimed the top honors in 1:06:29.

She was hoping to carry the spirit to the streets of America, but her opponents proved to be superior and competitive.

She has a Boston Marathon silver medal in her already glittering cabinet and she was going for more.

Amos Kipruto chasing PB as he headlines Chicago Marathon field

Ngugi had her best Boston result in 2021 when she was originally placed in third place before moving up to second place after fellow Kenyan and champion Diana Kipyokei was retroactively disqualified and given a six-year suspension for taking illegal drugs.

It is now a matter of wait-and-see as Kenyans anticipate a major comeback from Ngugi.

Elite list

Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 2:14:18 (Chicago, 2022)

Sutume Kebede, ETH, 2:15:55 (Tokyo, 2024)

Joyciline Jepkosgei, KEN, 2:16:24 (London, 2024)

Degitu Azimeraw, ETH, 2:17:58 (London, 2021)

Ashete Bekere Dido, ETH, 2:17:58 (Tokyo, 2022)

Hiwot Gebrekidan, ETH, 2:17:59 (Valencia, 2023)

Irine Cheptai, KEN, 2:18:22 (Hamburg, 2024)

Keira D’Amato, USA, 2:19:12 (Houston, 2022)

Betsy Saina, USA, 2:19:17 (Tokyo, 2024)

Dorcas Tuitoek, KEN, 2:20:02 (Amsterdam, 2023)

Mary Ngugi-Cooper, KEN, 2:20:22 (London, 2022)

Sara Hall, USA, 2:20:32 (Chandler, 2020)

Emma Bates, USA, 2:22:10 (Boston, 2022)

Buze Diriba, ETH, 2:23:11 (Toronto, 2023)

Sara Vaughn, USA, 2:23:24 (Chicago, 2023)

Susanna Sullivan, USA, 2:24:27 (London, 2023)

Gabi Rooker, USA, 2:24:35 (Chicago, 2023)

Lindsay Flanagan, USA, 2:24:43 (Gold Coast, 2022)

Nell Rojas, USA, 2:24:51 (Boston, 2023)

Stacey Ndiwa, KEN, 2:25:29 (Los Angeles, 2024)

Laura Thweatt, USA, 2:25:38 (London, 2017)

Lauren Hagans, USA, 2:25:56 (Duluth, 2023)

Annie Frisbie, USA, 2:26:18 (New York, 2021)

Jackie Gaughan, USA, 2:27:08 (Berlin, 2023)

Dominique Scott, RSA, 2:27:31 (Chicago, 2023)

Diane Nukuri, USA, 2:27:50 (London, 2015)

Makena Morley, USA, 2:30:25 (Los Angeles, 2024)

Anne Marie Blaney, USA, 2:30:43 (Orlando, 2024)

Andrea Pomaranski, USA, 2:31:06 (Houston, 2023)

Amy Davis-Green, USA, 2:33:09 (Orlando, 2024)

Aubrey Frentheway, USA, Debut