The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, set for Sunday, October 13, is gearing up to be an electrifying showdown in the women's elite category, featuring a stellar lineup of top-tier marathon runners. Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan powerhouse and two-time Chicago Marathon champion, is poised to chase her third victory on US soil. Chepngetich, who notably secured the world marathon gold in Doha in 2019, is one of the favorites to win given her impressive track record and her second-place finish last year in a near-record time of 2:15:37.
Chepngetich's main competition comes from fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei and Ethiopian marathoner Sutume Kebede, both of whom have proven their prowess in major marathons worldwide. Jepkosgei, a two-time World Marathon Majors winner, has shown consistent performance improvements, culminating in a personal best of 2:16:24 in London last April. Her fourth-place finish in Chicago in 2023, with a time of 2:17:23, demonstrates her potential to challenge for the top spot this year.
Sutume Kebede, on the other hand, has been a rising star in the marathon world, winning the Tokyo Marathon in March with a world-leading time of 2:15:55 for the year. Kebede's performance moved her to eighth on the world all-time list, signaling her readiness to contend vigorously at Chicago, a course known for its speed.
The field is deepened with the presence of three Ethiopian runners who have all finished under 2:18: Degitu Azimeraw, Ashete Bekere, and Hiwot Gebrekidan. Azimeraw, second in London this year, and Bekere, a recent Rotterdam Marathon winner, both have proven their capability to finish strong in competitive fields. Gebrekidan adds to the mix with a commendable third place in Valencia in 2023.
From the United States, Keira D’Amato and Betsy Saina are the top contenders. D’Amato, with a personal best of 2:19:12 set in Houston in 2022, has demonstrated her capacity to compete at a high level. Saina, who improved her personal best to 2:19:17 in Tokyo earlier this year, brings experience and a competitive edge from her track background, having finished fifth in the 10000 meters at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Given the caliber of the athletes and their previous performances, the race is anticipated to be highly competitive. Ruth Chepngetich, with her experience and previous success in Chicago, is the likely favorite. However, Joyciline Jepkosgei and Sutume Kebede are strong contenders who could upset Chepngetich’s bid for another title. The race dynamics will likely see these three athletes pulling away from the field, battling for the top three positions.
WOMEN'S ELITE FIELD: