World silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo is set to make his marathon debut at the Chicago Marathon on October 13, while Ruth Chepng’etich aims for her third consecutive title. Ebenyo’s recent performance includes a third-place finish at the Boston 10km Road Race last month, where he clocked 27:55, following Wesley Kiptoo (27:53) and Prague Half Marathon Champion Sabastian Sawe (27:42).
The Commonwealth 10,000m silver medallist is eager to redeem himself after failing to qualify for the Olympic Games, finishing eighth at the Kenyan trials during the Prefontaine Classic on May 25. The 25-year-old boasts an impressive record, including a Delhi Half Marathon title (59:27) and a silver medal at the 2022 Bahrain Half Marathon (59:04). His other achievements include winning the 2022 Valencia 10km Road Race (26:58), the Kolkata 25km Road Race (1:11:13), and the Memorial Van Damme 10,000m race (26:57.80).
Ebenyo will face stiff competition from 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, who aims to set a new personal best in Chicago. “My goal is to run a new personal best. I want to show the world I can still win a major marathon, like Chicago,” Kipruto remarked. Kipruto’s accolades include second-place finishes at the 2018 Berlin (2:06:23) and 2022 Tokyo (2:03:13) marathons, a third-place finish at the 2018 Tokyo Marathon (2:06:33), and a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships in Doha (2:10:51).
Other contenders include 2023 Berlin Marathon runner-up Vincent Ngetich and 2022 Chicago Marathon third-place finisher John Korir. The Kenyan runners will face strong rivalry from Ethiopians such as Valencia Marathon runner-up Dawit Wolde, Rotterdam runner-up Amedework Welelegn, and 2023 Tokyo Marathon runner-up Mohamed Esa. Additionally, 2020 Hofu Marathon champion Tatsuya Maruyama of Japan and Americans Zach Panning and Brian Shrader will be in the mix.
In the women’s elite field, two-time champion Ruth Chepng’etich headlines the competition. She won the 2021 title with a time of 2:22:31 and defended it in 2022 with a record-breaking 2:14:18. Chepng’etich also finished third at the 2020 London Marathon (2:22:05), behind USA’s Sara Hall (2:22:01) and Brigid Kosgei (2:18:58).
Other competitors in the women’s race include London Marathon third-place finisher Joyciline Jepkosgei, 2022 Commonwealth 10,000m silver medallist Irene Cheptai, and 2023 Haspa Marathon champion Dorcas Tuitoek. The Ethiopian contingent features Tokyo Marathon champion Sutume Kebede and 2019 Amsterdam Marathon champion Degitu Azimeraw. The hosts’ charge will be led by Sara Hall, Keira D’Amato, Betsy Saina, and Emma Bates.
The Chicago Marathon promises to be a thrilling event with top-tier athletes vying for glory in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.