Hawi Feysa Defends Chicago Marathon Title with 2:13:33 Victory
Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa successfully defended her Chicago Marathon title on Sunday, October 11, winning the 2026 women’s race in 2:13:33. Last year’s champion pulled clear of Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi over the final stretch to secure her second consecutive victory by 34 seconds.
Lokedi finished second in 2:14:07, while fellow Kenyan Brigid Jepchirchir Kosgei completed the podium in 2:14:55, 1 minute and 22 seconds behind Feysa.
The race remained closely contested until its closing stages. Lokedi held a one-second advantage at mile 25, but Feysa delivered the stronger finish to retain her crown.
Feysa was prominent from the opening kilometres, leading through 10 kilometres in 31:04, with Kosgei just one second behind. Joan Jepkosgei Kilimo, Lokedi, Brillian Kipkoech and Loice Chemnung followed in 31:13.
By halfway, four women were separated by just one second. Lokedi crossed the checkpoint first in 1:06:06, closely followed by Feysa, Chemnung and Kosgei, all in 1:06:07. Kilimo was fifth in 1:06:37.
The leading group gradually broke apart during the second half. At mile 20, Lokedi led in 1:41:13, with Feysa immediately behind in 1:41:14. Kosgei remained third in 1:41:40, while Chemnung had slipped to fourth in 1:42:34. Kilimo followed in fifth in 1:43:36.
Feysa edged ahead at 35 kilometres, recording 1:50:23 to Lokedi’s 1:50:24. Kosgei crossed in 1:51:01, leaving the leading pair 38 seconds clear of their nearest challenger.
Lokedi was back in front at mile 25, reaching the checkpoint in 2:07:27, just one second ahead of Feysa. With the outcome still undecided, the defending champion found the stronger closing pace and broke clear before the finish to claim another Chicago title.
