Hawi Feysa defends Chicago Marathon title with personal best

Hawi Feysa won the Chicago Marathon women's race in 2:13:33, defending her title and setting a personal best. Amos Kipruto took the men's victory in 2:01:09, a time that ties Eliud Kipchoge's world record effort from 2022. The 48th edition of the race unfolded on October 11 in Chicago, Illinois, under sunny skies with temperatures in the higher 50s at the start.

Feysa's performance moved her to number four on the all-time performers list. The 27-year-old Ethiopian, coached by Gemedu Dedefo, improved her winning time from the previous year by one minute and 24 seconds. She called the win and personal best a big surprise. Feysa noted windy conditions and said her pacemaker did not last as far as expected, suggesting a sub-2:13 time is possible in better circumstances.

This was her seventh career marathon and her third victory, following wins at Frankfurt in 2024 and Chicago in 2025. She has now finished in the top three in six consecutive races. Her training squad includes elite teammates Fotyen Tesfay and Tigst Assefa.

Men’s race outcome

Amos Kipruto of Kenya secured his second World Marathon Majors title with his world-record-equaling run. Tadese Takele of Ethiopia finished second in 2:02:56. Milkesa Mengesha, also of Ethiopia, took third in 2:03:46. Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo placed fourth in 2:04:18.

Kipruto's time of 2:01:09 now sits fifth on both the all-time performer and performance lists. The senior member of coach Claudio Berardelli's 2 Running team stated that the marathon begins at 30 kilometers and that he prepared his mind to keep going. This was his 20th career marathon and his fifth win. He has finished in the top three in 12 of those races.

His confidence was boosted by a 2:01:39 run in London prior to Chicago. Kipruto noted that Kiplimo had asked for a 60:15 pace in Chicago, which influenced his own confidence. The opening half was run in 60:21 with consistent 5K splits.

Race conditions and key moments

The opening 30 kilometers of the race was described as blistering. Conditions were somewhat warm and humid.

In the women's race, Feysa and Brigid Kosgei opened with a 15K split of 46:41, projecting a 2:11:19 pace. At the halfway point, Sharon Lokedi and Loice Chemnung caught the lead duo, forming a group of four racers and four pacers that crossed in 66:06. The leaders passed 30K in 1:34:16, a 2:12:35 pace. The pacemaker stepped off at 31K, and Feysa moved to the front to control the race. Lokedi surged ahead past 40K, building a 10-meter lead. Feysa overcame it with a 4:59 closing mile to secure victory.

Notable American performances

American runners delivered several standout performances. Emma Grace Hurley finished seventh in the women's race in 2:20:47, marking a U.S. debut best and moving to number six on the American all-time list.

In the men's race, Clayton Young finished seventh in 2:05:23. Charles Hicks placed eighth in 2:05:35. Vincent Mauri finished tenth in 2:06:45. Galen Rupp, at age 40, finished eleventh overall in 2:06:55, establishing a new U.S. Masters best. The previous record was 2:10:02, set by Elkanah Kibet in 2024.

Additional top finishes

Sharon Lokedi of Kenya finished second in the women's race with a lifetime best of 2:14:07, now number seven all-time. Brigid Kosgei took third in 2:14:55. Isobel Batt-Doyle of Australia finished sixth in 2:20:38, setting an Australian national record.

Top American women also recorded strong finishes. Dakotah Popehn placed 13th in 2:24:57. Elena Hayday finished 14th in 2:27:22. Natosha Rogers came in 15th with a time of 2:29:30.

Prize money was awarded to the top five finishers and the top American finishers.

The World Marathon Majors series will finish in 2026 with the New York City Marathon on November 7.