Hicks leads American record charge at Chicago Marathon 2026

Charles Hicks will make his Chicago Marathon debut in 2026 as his first official marathon eligible to represent the United States. The 25-year-old, who switched allegiance to the USA in mid-July 2026, ran 2:04:35 at the Boston Marathon in April, the second-fastest time ever by an American. That mark, set on a net-downhill course with a tailwind, does not count for records, but it was quicker than Mo Farah's British record and signaled a five-minute improvement from his 2:09:59 debut in New York last November.

Hicks was born to American parents and raised in London until age 12. He won the 2025 Cherry Blossom 10-miler in 45:14, though the American record went to runner-up Alex Maier by one second as Hicks was ineligible at the time. His preparation for Chicago included increasing his peak weekly mileage from 115-120 to 125-130 miles under coach Jerry Schumacher, with a final altitude build in Provo. "The Chicago Marathon has always captivated me," Hicks said.

Challengers Emerge

Clayton Young and Vinny Mauri are also targeting Conner Mantz’s American record of 2:04:43, set in Chicago twelve months prior. Young, 33, announced his intent in September 2026 despite suffering a 12cm tear in his hamstring during the Great North Run, where he finished seventh. The tenth-fastest marathoner in U.S. history, with a personal best of 2:05:41 from Boston, Young consulted with his doctor and still plans to race.

Vinny Mauri, 25, ran 2:05:54 on his debut at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo in April, the fourth-fastest time in American history. He achieved this without pacers or other elite runners, building a cult following with a self-coached, unorthodox regimen. His training included a peak week of 138 miles and a 45-mile day on a treadmill at a Planet Fitness gym. Mauri, who works at a running shop and has signed with ASICS, has not raced since. He believes the record is within reach. "On a good day, there could be several people under it," Mauri said.

Galen Rupp, 40, enters his first marathon as a masters athlete. He holds the U.S. masters record of 2:10:02 and remains the last American-born man to win the Chicago Marathon, having done so in 2017 with a personal best under 2:07. Another American, 24-year-old Patrick Cullen, has declared he will run 2:06 despite a personal best of 2:12.

Defending Champion Looms

Defending champion Jacob Kiplimo poses a formidable obstacle to both the American ambitions and the course record. The 25-year-old Ugandan has a personal best of 2:00:28 from finishing third in London, a mark that is a full minute faster than anyone else in the field. He may challenge Kelvin Kiptum's Chicago Marathon course record of 2:00:35 set in 2023.

African-born athletes have won 27 of the past 28 editions of the Chicago Marathon, underscoring the scale of the task facing the American contingent.

Context and History

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which began in 1977, is in its 47th edition. Americans have won the race 21 times in its history, but U.S. dominance has waned. A six-year streak of American victories started with the inaugural race and ended in 1982, the last time two Americans won in the same year. Since 2000, only four Chicago Marathon titles have been won by Americans, and only two of those by American-born athletes: Deena Kastor in 2005 and Galen Rupp in 2017. Kenyan athletes alone have won 12 women's titles and 20 men's titles.

The race will be broadcast live on FloTrack for audiences in Australia, Britain, Ireland, and Canada. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon took place on Sunday, Oct 11, 2026.