2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Men's Elite Preview

Posted by: Watch Athletics

As the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon approaches, the men's elite race is set to be a standout event, with top athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia leading the field. Scheduled for October 13, this year's marathon holds special significance due to the emotional backdrop provided by the memory of Kelvin Kiptum, last year's record-breaking winner. Kiptum's stunning 2:00:35 victory set a new world record, but tragically, he passed away in a car accident just four months later. His compatriot, Amos Kipruto, will run in Chicago to honor Kiptum's memory, adding a poignant note to his competitive ambitions​.

Amos Kipruto, known for his personal best of 2:03:13, is a key favorite. After facing a season marred by injuries, Kipruto is eager to demonstrate his resilience and capability at one of the world's major marathons. His participation this year is not only about personal achievement but also serves as a tribute to his late friend and competitor, Kelvin Kiptum​.

Joining Kipruto is Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, who also boasts a personal best of 2:03:13. Ngetich has consistently placed well at major marathons, including a second place at Berlin in 2023 and a third at Tokyo in 2024, making him one of the strong contenders for the title this year​.

The field also features Daniel Ebenyo from Kenya, making his marathon debut with a strong background in shorter distances. Having won the Berlin Half Marathon, Ebenyo's transition to the full marathon distance is highly anticipated. While this will be his first marathon, his track record suggests he could be a surprise contender​.

From Ethiopia, Birhanu Legese stands out with the fastest personal best in the field, a swift 2:02:48 from the 2019 Berlin Marathon. Legese's consistency and past performances position him as a potential frontrunner in a field packed with elite talent​.

The American contingent is led by runners like Zach Panning and CJ Albertson, who aim to showcase their capabilities on home soil. Both have shown potential in previous marathons and will be looking to leverage the home crowd advantage to achieve personal bests​.

This year's Chicago Marathon is more than just a race; it's a narrative of resilience, memory, and elite competition. With a field comprising seasoned marathoners and promising debutants, the event is poised for drama and possibly historic performances. As these athletes line up, the spirit of Kelvin Kiptum will undoubtedly echo through the streets of Chicago, reminding everyone of the fierce competition and deep camaraderie that defines marathon running.

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
Latest News
©2025 WATCHATHLETICS.COM. All rights reserved.