On Sunday, a formidable Kenyan squad will once again lace up their running shoes, ready to extend the country’s glittering legacy on the streets of Chicago.
Since its inception, Kenya has reigned supreme in the Chicago Marathon’s open division, amassing an impressive 32 titles (20 in the men’s field and 12 in the women’s).
However, in the overall tally, the United States edges ahead with 78 triumphs, including 57 in the wheelchair division, while Kenya sit second.
The Chicago course has become iconic for Kenyan marathon mastery, notably after the late Kelvin Kiptum etched his name into history last year by setting the men’s world record in 2:00:35, becoming the first man ever to dip under 2:01.
Team Kenya heads into this year’s showdown as the reigning champions in the men’s and women’s categories.
John Korir stormed to victory last year in 2:02:43, while Ruth Chepng’etich dominated the women’s race, clocking 2:09:56.
Korir will return to defend his crown against a stacked elite field and has already made his intentions clear to attack Kiptum's world record.
"The target my coach and I have set is to lower my personal best and clock 2:00:30," Korir had told the Star earlier.
The Chicago Marathon is renowned for its record-breaking potential, a fast, flat course with ideal conditions and a fiercely competitive field that has consistently produced historic times.
The International Olympic Committee once described it as a “historical world record course.”
Korir also draws inspiration from his coach (Ron Mann) and elder brother, Wesley Korir, the 2012 Boston Marathon champion.
“My elder brother and coach keep motivating me, telling me I can do it and to go for it,” he said. “My performances since the start of the year will push me even more heading into Chicago.”
Since his triumph in Chicago last year, Korir has been unbeaten on the roads.
He began his 2025 season in style, conquering the Boston Marathon in 2:04:45 ahead of Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (2:05:04) and CyBrian Kotut (2:05:04).
His most recent victory came at the Boilermaker 15K, where he clocked an impressive 42:44.
In Chicago, Korir will be joined by compatriots Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, Cybrian Kotut, Timothy Kiplagat and two-time New York Marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor.
In the women’s division, Kenya’s charge will be spearheaded by two-time World Half Marathon bronze medallist Mary Ngugi-Cooper, who will be seeking redemption after finishing 11th in Boston earlier this year in 2:24:39.
She will be joined by debutant Loice Chemnung, who is set to make her marathon debut.
Their main challenge will come from Ethiopia’s formidable duo of Megertu Alemu, runner-up at the 2023 London Marathon and Hawi Feysa, the 2024 Frankfurt Marathon champion.
