At the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon’s 46th running on Oct. 13, the life and accomplishments of the late marathon legend Kelvin Kiptum will be honoured. The young athlete, who currently holds the marathon world record, and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, were tragically killed in a car accident on Feb. 11, devastating the running world and Kiptum’s countless supporters.
Marking one year since Kiptum set a new marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon, the World Marathon Major will take a moment of silence at the start line to honour his legacy. Those inspired by Kiptum will also be encouraged to wear memorial stickers provided at the race expo.
Kiptum rose to fame in 2022, at the age of 23, when he ran his marathon debut in a head-turning 2:01:25 to win the Valencia Marathon. Four months later, he won the TCS London Marathon, in 2:01:25. At the 2023 Chicago Marathon, less than one year after his debut, the Kenyan demolished Eliud Kipchoge‘s world record, running 2:00:35 to become the first person to break the 2:01:00 barrier. His world record still stands.
Which elites will toe the line at the 2024 Chicago Marathon?
In the men’s field, we’ll see world 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya making his marathon debut. The 29-year-old will go head-to-head with Kenya’s 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, who has the fastest personal best in the field (2:03:13 from the 2022 Tokyo Marathon).
The lone Canadian in the men’s field is Phil Parrot-Migas of London, Ont.. This will be the third marathon of his career. He holds a personal best of 2:15:53, set in Hamburg in April.
Former world champion and fourth-fastest marathoner in history Ruth Chepngetich will be headlining the women’s field. She’ll be joined by a strong American contingent, consisting of three of the country’s top five fastest marathoners: Keira D’Amato, Sara Hall and Betsy Saina. Saina comes into the race as the strongest American athlete, placing in the top five of her last three marathons, including a win at the 2023 Sydney Marathon. Sydney is currently a candidate to be added as the seventh AWMM, joining Tokyo, Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago and NYC.
There are no Canadian female marathoners in the women’s elite field. For the full list of elites, check here.
