Amos Kipruto during a previous race/ HANDOUT
The 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto will be out to exact revenge on Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo when the pair renew their rivalry at the Chicago Marathon on October 11.
On Thursday evening, Chicago Marathon organisers unveiled a star-studded elite field for this year's race, setting the stage for a series of mouthwatering battles across both the men's and women's contests.
Top billing goes to the heavyweight duel between Kiplimo and Kipruto in the men's race.
At last year's Chicago Marathon, Kiplimo stormed to victory in 2:02:23, comfortably holding off Kipruto, who crossed the line second in 2:03:54.
Kenya's Alex Masai completed the podium after clocking 2:04:37.
The two distance stars head back to Chicago having already rekindled their rivalry earlier this year at the London Marathon on April 26.
On that occasion, Kiplimo finished third in 2:00:28, while Kipruto followed home in fourth after stopping the clock at 2:01:39.
Kipruto's training partner, Sabastian Sawe, stole the headlines by shattering the men's marathon world record, becoming the first man in history to break the two-hour barrier with a sensational 1:59:30.
Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished second in London in 1:59:41. Following his exploits in London, Kipruto briefly switched to the track, lining up in the men's 5,000m at the National Police Service (NPS) track and field championships on May 20, where he finished fourth in 14:02.12.
Andrew Alamisi won the race in 13:49.98 ahead of Stephen Kipkech (13:55.22) and Naibei Mayebei (13:57.01).
Kipruto made his Chicago Marathon debut in 2024, producing a podium finish after clocking 2:04:50 behind compatriot John Korir (2:02:44) and Ethiopia's Mohamed Esa (2:04:39).
Meanwhile, Kiplimo heads to Chicago riding a rich vein of form after opening his season with victory at the World Cross Country Championships in 28:18.
He then obliterated the men's half marathon world record in Lisbon, clocking a stunning 57:20, before claiming third place at the London Marathon.
In Chicago, Kipruto will be joined by Daniel Mateiko and last year's third-place finisher Alex Masai.
Adding depth to the men's field is a formidable Ethiopian contingent spearheaded by 2024 Berlin Marathon champion Milkesa Mengesha.
He will be joined by two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Tadese Takele and Asrar Hiyrden.
The women's race is equally stacked, with organisers assembling some of the finest female distance runners for what promises to be another enthralling battle.
Leading the charge is former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, who will lock horns with defending champion Hawi Feysa and two-time Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi.
Kosgei returns to a course etched in her legacy, having smashed the women's marathon world record in Chicago in 2019.
"Seven years after my world record, I am excited to return to Chicago — the place where history became reality. Looking forward to being back on the incredible streets," Kosgei shared on her social media platforms.
The 32-year-old produced her historic 2:14:04 performance at the 2019 Chicago Marathon after having won the 2018 edition in 2:18:35.
Feysa, on the other hand, will be determined to defend the title she won last year after triumphing in 2:14:57.
Lokedi, meanwhile, will be making her Chicago Marathon debut, but she arrives with an outstanding resume on American roads, having claimed back-to-back Boston Marathon titles in 2025 and 2026, in addition to her New York Marathon triumph in 2022.
Also in the elite field is Boston Marathon runner-up Loice Chemnung, who will be targeting a faster time on a course that holds special memories.
"I am thankful and excited to toe the line for the Chicago Marathon. This city will always remain special to me; it's the place where I ran my first marathon.
"I will try to improve my time from last year," Chemnung shared.
Chemnung made an impressive marathon debut in Chicago last year, narrowly missing out on the podium after finishing fourth in 2:18:24.
