Will Kevin Kiptum win a second major marathon in a year?

• Kiptum won the 2023 London Marathon
• He has been confirmed for the Chicago Marathon
• He holds the second fastest time ever in the distance

Wonder-boy Kevin Kiptum has been confirmed for this year’s Chicago Marathon slated for October 8, and he hopes to close his year down with a second Major Marathon win, after earlier clinching victory in London.

Kiptum, who holds the second fastest time ever in the world in the distance, had earlier hoped to enroll for the Berlin Marathon with an aim of breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s World Record, but he has instead been selected to run in Chicago.

The 23-year old will make his debut in Chicago, in what will only be his third marathon. He had run his second career marathon in London, winning in 2:01:25, just 16 seconds shy of the world record.

Kiptum has been hailed by many as the heir apparent to world record holder and double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge’s throne as the marathon king.

He will however face stiff competition in unforgiving Chicago, with a healthy field lined up. Defending champion Benson Kipruto will be back to try defend his crown, and will be one of the athletes to watch out for.

Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura – winner in Chicago in 2021 and runner-up last year – will return for the third consecutive year, looking for another podium finish. Belgium’s world and Olympic bronze medallist Bashir Abdi – winner of this year’s Rotterdam Marathon – is also in the line-up.

Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde, Brazil’s Daniel Do Nascimento and Kenya’s John Korir are among the other notable entries. Daniel Mateiko and Wesley Korir will also be making their debuts in Chicago.

Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich confirmed 

Ruth Chepng’etich winning the Chicago Marathon. PHOTO/Courtesy

Meanwhile, the women’s field will be hugely competitive with several high profile Kenyan athletes lining up. Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich will take on London Marathon champion Sifan Hassan and US record-holder Emily Sisson in the women’s race. But that trio is just the tip of the iceberg.

Chepngetich will be hoping to make a resounding performance in Chicago after struggling with injury for most of this year, but has now said she feels in tip top shape to try and battle in her title retention dream.

Joyciline Jepkosgei, winner of the 2021 London Marathon and 2019 New York City Marathon, will make her Chicago debut, as will Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia. Dibaba – who has broken several world records on the track, indoors and out – made her marathon debut in Amsterdam last year, clocking 2:18:05.

The US contingency also features Olympic bronze medallist Molly Seidel, 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, 2021 Chicago runner-up Emma Bates, and Kenyan-turned American Aliphine Tuliamuk, winner of the 2020 US Olympic Trials.

Burundian Diane Nukuri, now relocated to the USA, will also be in line to compete in Chicago.

Other notable competitors in the women’s field include Ethiopia’s Ababel Yesheneh and US duo Nell Rojas, Sara Vaughn.

Elite field

Chicago Marathon. Photo/The New York Times

Women

Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:14:18

Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:17:43

Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 2:18:05

Sutume Kebede (ETH) 2:18:12

Emily Sisson (USA) 2:18:29

Sifan Hassan (NED) 2:18:33

Tigist Girma (ETH) 2:18:52

Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:51

Des Linden (USA) 2:22:38

Emma Bates (USA) 2:23:18

Aliphine Tuliamuk (USA) 2:24:37

Nell Rojas (USA) 2:24:51

Molly Seidel (USA) 2:24:42

Dakotah Lindwurm (USA) 2:25:01

Sara Vaughn (USA) 2:26:23

Gabriella Rooker (USA) 2:27:38

Diane Nukuri (USA) 2:27:50

Maggie Montoya (USA) 2:28:07

Stacy Ndiwa (KEN) 2:31:53

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

Daniel Mateiko (KEN) debut

Wesley Kiptoo (KEN) debut