Chicago Marathon 2026 Brings Historic Showdowns Sunday

When Jacob Kiplimo returns to Chicago's streets this Sunday, he'll be running as a completely different athlete than the one who won here last year.

The Ugandan captured his first Chicago Marathon in 2:02:23 back in 2025, in just his second ever marathon. Then came London in April, where he blazed through the course in 2:00:28, making him the third-fastest marathoner in history.

"Coming back to Chicago is my special moment," Kiplimo said. "Winning last year gave me a lot of energy to prepare well."

But Kiplimo won't have an easy path to a repeat victory. Kenya's Amos Kipruto has been knocking on Chicago's door for two straight years, finishing third in 2024 and second in 2025, and he clocked his own jaw-dropping 2:01:39 at London.

"Being in position three in 2024, position two in 2025, and this is 2026, I think this is a huge step for me," Kipruto said Friday, hinting at what everyone's thinking: this could finally be his year.

The American storyline centers on Clayton Young, who's chasing the national record his training partner Conner Mantz set right here in Chicago last year. Young is racing despite recovering from a torn hamstring, but he insists he's ready.

"I wouldn't be here if my hamstring didn't feel good," Young said. And yes, Mantz has been helping him train to potentially break his own record, because that's just how these athletes roll.

Why This Inspires

What makes Sunday's race special isn't just the times these runners might post. It's watching athletes push each other to new heights, supporting competitors even when it means their own records might fall.

Young and Mantz's friendship captures it perfectly. One holds the American record, the other is trying to take it, and they're helping each other every step of the way.

The women's race brings its own powerful narrative. Brigid Kosgei, who set a world record of 2:14:04 when she won Chicago in 2019, is staging a comeback after rediscovering her form with a Tokyo Marathon win in March.

Defending champion Hawi Feysa is ready too. "Compared to last year, I'm in better shape and better health overall," the Ethiopian runner said.

The professional fields take off Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. local time, and history might just be waiting at the finish line.