Chicago Marathon 2026 Preview: Kiplimo Targets Repeat Victory as Feysa Faces Kosgei and Lokedi

Defending champions Jacob Kiplimo and Hawi Feysa return to the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11, facing formidable opposition on one of the world’s fastest courses. The 48th edition starts and finishes in Grant Park, with the professional men’s and women’s races scheduled for 7:30 a.m. local time, or 8:30 a.m. US Eastern.

Men’s preview: Kiplimo leads the contenders

Kiplimo arrives as the leading contender after a remarkable year across several distances. The Ugandan won Chicago in 2:02:23 last October and improved to 2:00:28 when finishing third at the London Marathon in April. He also secured a third consecutive world cross-country title and clocked 57:20 at the Lisbon Half Marathon, underlining the range of talent his rivals must overcome.

Amos Kipruto looks the strongest challenger on personal-best times. The Kenyan, runner-up in Chicago last year, enters with a 2:01:39 best from London this spring. Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha and Tadese Takele Bikila bring credentials of 2:03:17 and 2:03:23 respectively, while Daniel Mateiko’s 2:03:44 adds another serious contender to the leading group.

Mengesha’s 2024 Berlin victory and Takele’s consecutive Tokyo titles demonstrate their ability to win major marathons. Kiplimo has the strongest combination of recent speed and Chicago experience, but the depth of opposition should keep the title contest compelling.

The American race offers another major storyline. Charles Hicks heads the domestic contenders after running 2:04:35 in Boston, alongside Olympian Clayton Young and 2017 Chicago champion Galen Rupp. Vincent Mauri also attracts attention following his breakthrough 2:05:54 victory at the Glass City Marathon in April; Chicago will provide a much deeper competitive test.

The latest official roster confirms that last year’s third-place finisher Alex Masai and Belgium’s Bashir Abdi have withdrawn, removing two prominent names from earlier field announcements.

Men's Elite Field

Women’s preview: Feysa faces a major test

Feysa returns with a listed personal best of 2:14:57 from her commanding Chicago victory last year. However, Brigid Kosgei’s return creates a particularly difficult title defense. The Kenyan won Chicago in 2018 and 2019, setting her former world record of 2:14:04 on the second occasion.

Kosgei’s recent form makes her much more than a former champion revisiting familiar streets. She won the Tokyo Marathon in March in 2:14:29, setting a course record and delivering the second-fastest performance of her career. That result gives her a strong claim to favoritism alongside Feysa.

Sharon Lokedi provides another intriguing challenge. The 2022 New York champion and winner of the 2025 and 2026 Boston Marathons makes her Chicago debut. Her first appearance on a flat major-marathon course will test how her proven racing strength translates to a contest where sustained speed could be decisive.

Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, with a best of 2:15:55, and Megertu Alemu, at 2:16:34, add substantial depth. Brillian Kipkoech enters with 2:17:05, while Loice Chemnung and Degitu Azimeraw are further athletes capable of challenging for prominent finishes.

The American field includes Sara Hall, Susanna Sullivan, Natosha Rogers and Olympian Dakotah Popehn. Emma Grace Hurley’s marathon debut is another performance to watch, offering a fresh storyline alongside the experienced domestic contenders.

With Kiplimo seeking another statement victory and Feysa facing both a resurgent Kosgei and an accomplished Lokedi, Chicago promises two absorbing elite races.

Women's Elite Field

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