Chicago Marathon Final Men's and Women's Elite Fields Announced

Posted by: Watch Athletics

The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, set for this weekend (October 13), promises an electrifying contest with the announcement of final elite fields that could see records tumble in both the men’s and women’s races.

In the men's open division, Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia is a standout name, bringing with him the fastest personal best in the field—a blistering 2:02:48 from the 2019 Berlin Marathon. His recent performances include top-five finishes in major marathons across Tokyo, Valencia, and London, underscoring his consistency and threat on the course. His fourth-place finish in Amsterdam last year with a time of 2:04:43 further cements his status as a favorite.

Legese will face stiff competition from Kenyan athletes Amos Kipruto and Vincent Ngetich, who both boast personal bests of 2:03:13, making them serious contenders for the title. Adding to the international flavor, Japanese runners Kyohei Hosoya and Toshiki Sadakata will join the fray, with best times of 2:06:35 and 2:07:05 respectively. American long-distance runner Shadrack Kipchirchir, also in the mix, adds depth to an already competitive field.

The women’s race is equally compelling with Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia leading the pack. Fresh from a record-setting year, Kebede enters the Chicago Marathon as this year's fastest women’s marathoner following her 2:15:55 victory at the Tokyo Marathon. Her astounding performance there, coupled with setting the fastest-ever half marathon record on U.S. soil (1:04:37 at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon), positions her as the woman to beat.

Kebede will not have an easy run, with Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya, the fourth fastest woman in history and a previous Chicago Marathon champion, looking to reclaim her crown. Joyciline Jepkosgei, another Kenyan powerhouse and champion of both the London and New York City Marathons, also returns with ambitions of improving her fourth-place finish from last year.

Adding intrigue to the elite lineup are Americans Keira D’Amato and Betsy Saina. D’Amato, a former American marathon record holder, transitions from commentator back to competitor, while Saina seeks redemption in Chicago after an illness forced her to withdraw in 2019.

This star-studded ensemble of athletes sets the stage for a thrilling marathon, with the Chicago streets ready to witness potentially historic performances.

WOMEN'S ELITE FIELD:

  1. Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 2:14:18 (Chicago, 2022)
  2. Sutume Kebede, ETH, 2:15:55 (Tokyo, 2024)
  3. Joyciline Jepkosgei, KEN, 2:16:24 (London, 2024)
  4. Degitu Azimeraw, ETH, 2:17:58 (London, 2021)
  5. Ashete Bekere Dido, ETH, 2:17:58 (Tokyo, 2022)
  6. Hiwot Gebrekidan, ETH, 2:17:59 (Valencia, 2023)
  7. Irine Cheptai, KEN, 2:18:22 (Hamburg, 2024)
  8. Keira D’Amato, USA, 2:19:12 (Houston, 2022)
  9. Betsy Saina, USA, 2:19:17 (Tokyo, 2024)
  10. Dorcas Tuitoek, KEN, 2:20:02 (Amsterdam, 2023)
  11. Mary Ngugi-Cooper, KEN, 2:20:22 (London, 2022)
  12. Sara Hall, USA, 2:20:32 (Chandler, 2020)
  13. Emma Bates, USA, 2:22:10 (Boston, 2022)
  14. Buze Diriba, ETH, 2:23:11 (Toronto, 2023)
  15. Sara Vaughn, USA, 2:23:24 (Chicago, 2023)
  16. Susanna Sullivan, USA, 2:24:27 (London, 2023)
  17. Gabi Rooker, USA, 2:24:35 (Chicago, 2023)
  18. Lindsay Flanagan, USA, 2:24:43 (Gold Coast, 2022)
  19. Nell Rojas, USA, 2:24:51 (Boston, 2023)
  20. Stacey Ndiwa, KEN, 2:25:29 (Los Angeles, 2024)
  21. Laura Thweatt, USA, 2:25:38 (London, 2017)
  22. Lauren Hagans, USA, 2:25:56 (Duluth, 2023)
  23. Annie Frisbie, USA, 2:26:18 (New York, 2021)
  24. Jackie Gaughan, USA, 2:27:08 (Berlin, 2023)
  25. Dominique Scott, RSA, 2:27:31 (Chicago, 2023)
  26. Diane Nukuri, USA, 2:27:50 (London, 2015)
  27. Makena Morley, USA, 2:30:25 (Los Angeles, 2024)
  28. Anne Marie Blaney, USA, 2:30:43 (Orlando, 2024)
  29. Andrea Pomaranski, USA, 2:31:06 (Houston, 2023)
  30. Amy Davis-Green, USA, 2:33:09 (Orlando, 2024)
  31. Aubrey Frentheway, USA, Debut

MEN'S ELITE FIELD:

  1. Birhanu Legese, ETH, 2:02:48 (2019 Berlin)
  2. Amos Kipruto, KEN, 2:03:13 (Tokyo, 2022)
  3. Vincent Ngetich, KEN, 2:03:13 (Berlin, 2023)
  4. Dawit Wolde, ETH, 2:03:48 (Valencia, 2023)
  5. Amdework Walelegn, ETH, 2:04:50 (Rotterdam, 2024)
  6. John Korir, KEN, 2:05:01 (Chicago, 2022)
  7. Huseydin Mohamed Esa, ETH, 2:05:05 (Amsterdam, 2022)
  8. Jemal Yimer, ETH, 2:06:08 (Seoul, 2024)
  9. Kyohei Hosoya, JPN, 2:06:35
  10. Toshiki Sadakata, JPN, 2:07:05
  11. Tatsuya Maruyama, JPN, 2:07:50 (Berlin, 2022)
  12. Yuichi Yasui, JPN, 2:08:48 (Beppu, 2023)
  13. Jorge Castelblanco, PAN, 2:09:24 (Seville, 2024)
  14. Zach Panning, USA, 2:09:28 (Chicago, 2022)
  15. Brian Shrader, USA, 2:09:46 (Chicago, 2023)
  16. CJ Albertson, USA, 2:09:53 (Boston, 2024)
  17. Tomoki Yoshioka, JPN, 2:10:03 (Beppu, 2024)
  18. Reed Fischer, USA, 2:10:34 (Boston, 2022)
  19. Nathan Martin, USA, 2:10:45 (Duluth, 2023)
  20. Colin Mickow, USA, 2:11:22 (Chandler, 2020)
  21. Kevin Salvano, USA, 2:11:26 (Chicago, 2023)
  22. Jacob Thomson, USA, 2:11:40 (Gold Coast, 2023)
  23. Turner Wiley, USA, 2:11:59 (Chicago, 2022)
  24. JP Flavin, USA, 2:13:27 (Boston, 2023)
  25. Charlie Sweeney, USA, 2:13:41 (Sacramento, 2023)
  26. Ben Kendell, USA, 2:15:49 (Sacramento, 2022)
  27. Phil Migas, CAN, 2:15:53 (Hamburg, 2024)
  28. Daniel Ebenyo, KEN, Debut
  29. Alex Maier, USA, Debut
  30. Isai Rodriguez, USA, Debut
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