Mateiko looking to cause an upset at Chicago Marathon

When Daniel Mateiko lines up at the Chicago Marathon, one of the world's major marathons, on October 8th, he will be making his marathon debut, having just produced the fastest half marathon in history with the Antrim Coast event in Northern Ireland.

The 25-year-old, who defeated Ethiopia's Jemal Yimer in 58:36 and has been racing in both track and half marathons, stated that the world should expect unexpected results in Chicago despite the presence of the best marathon runners in the world vying for the title.

“Yes, this is my first time to run a marathon and a major one. This means I have to work extra hard to keep up the pace,” he said

He further noted that he made a good run while pacing at the London marathon early this year where Kelvin Kiptum ran the second fastest marathon in the world.

“I had good pacing at the London marathon where I quit at 30km, just 12km remaining. Some race organizers saw what I could do. At the same time, I have a very good management that looks for great races for their athletes,” he said.

He advanced to finish in position eight in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, after coming in second at the 2022 Kip Keino Classic.

The inaugural Eldama Ravine Half marathon champion said the training is so intense, and he expected to conquer the world come October 8.

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The Ras Al Khaimah half marathon silver medalist missed out to represent Kenya at the 2021 Olympic Games after finishing 6th during the national trials.

“Expect good things from me. Right now, I am preparing very well since I received the invitation,” he added.

Mateiko has set his gaze at on his time, having the personal best time standing at 58:26 set during his third position at the Valencia Half marathon last year,

The 25-year-old went ahead to finish third at the Valencia Half marathon in 58:26, Copenhagen third after timing 59:25, RAK in 6th position in 58:45 and Ravine half marathon.

He will be facing off with defending champion Benson Kipruto in the latest entry list announced by the race organizers.

Kipruto will be at the starting line-up in the men’s race to defend his title after winning last year in 2:04:24, the fourth fastest time ever in Chicago.

Should Kipruto win again, he’ll be the first back-to-back men’s open field champion since the late Sammy Wanjiru in 2010.

Others are London marathon champion Kelvin Kiptum who will make his U.S. marathon debut after he withdrew from the Kenyan marathon team for next month’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Kiptum is the second man in marathon ranking at 2:01:25, just 16 seconds shy of Eliud Kipchoge’s world record.

Olympic Games marathon bronze medalist Bashir Abdi of Belgium. Abdi also won the Rotterdam Marathon. Former champion Seifu Tura of Ethiopia, who returns for the third consecutive year after finishing second last year.

Men

Kelvin Kiptum (KEN)- 2:01:25

Bashir Abdi (BEL) -2:03:36

Benson Kipruto (KEN)- 2:04:24

Dawit Wolde (ETH)- 2:04:27

Seifu Tura (ETH)- 2:04:29

Daniel Do Nascimento (BRA)- 2:04:51

John Korir (KEN)- 2:05:01

Galen Rupp (USA)- 2:06:07

Huseydin Mohamed (ETH)-2:05:05

Milkesa Mengesha (ETH)- 2:05:29

Conner Mantz (USA)- 2:08:16

Yuki Matsumura (JPN)- 2:09:01

Takashi Ichida (JPN)- 2:09:15

Kei Katanishi (JPN)- 2:09:27

Masashi Nonaka (JPN)- 2:09:47

Matt McDonald (USA)- 2:09:49

Mick Iacofano (USA)- 2:09:55

Masaki Tuda (JPN)- 2:10:40

Mizuki Higashi (JPN)- 2:11:04

Colin Mickow (USA)- 2:11:22

Frank Lara (USA)- 2:11:32

Dan Kremske (USA)- 2:14:53

Daniel Mateiko (KEN) Debut

Wesley Kiptoo (KEN)- Debut