Chicago Marathon promises a thrilling spectacle as elite runners from around the globe gather to compete. Among them, Ruth Chepng’etich is on a mission to secure her third consecutive title, while Daniel Ebenyo is set to make his marathon debut.
Ruth Chepng’etich: The Hat-Trick Pursuit
Ruth Chepng’etich, a two-time Chicago Marathon champion, is aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick. She claimed her first title in 2021 with a time of 2:22:31, followed by a spectacular defense in 2022, clocking in at 2:14:18. Her marathon career is decorated with significant achievements, including a third-place finish at the 2020 London Marathon, where she completed the race in 2:22:05, behind USA’s Sara Hall and fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei.
Chepng’etich will lead a strong women’s elite field, including notable competitors like Joyciline Jepkosgei, who finished second in the London Marathon, Irene Cheptai, the 2022 Commonwealth 10,000m silver medallist, and Dorcas Tuitoek, the 2023 Haspa Marathon champion. The Ethiopian challenge will be spearheaded by Tokyo Marathon champion Sutume Kebede and 2019 Amsterdam Marathon champion Degitu Azimeraw. Representing the host nation, Sara Hall, Keira D’Amato, Betsy Saina, and Emma Bates will be formidable contenders.
Daniel Ebenyo: The Marathon Debut
Fresh from a third-place finish at the Boston 10km Road Race, Daniel Ebenyo is poised to make his full marathon debut. His impressive time of 27:55 in Boston, just seconds behind Wesley Kiptoo and Sabastian Sawe, underscores his readiness for the marathon challenge. Despite missing out on a spot at the Olympic Games after finishing eighth at the Kenyan trials during the Prefontaine Classic, Ebenyo’s track record remains outstanding. His accolades include winning the Delhi Half Marathon in 59:27, securing silver at the 2022 Bahrain Half Marathon with a time of 59:04, and triumphing at the Valencia 10km Road Race (26:58) and the Kolkata 25km Road Race (1:11:13).
Ebenyo will face stiff competition from seasoned marathoners like Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, who aims to set a new personal best in Chicago. Kipruto’s impressive resume includes runner-up finishes at the 2018 Berlin Marathon (2:06:23) and 2022 Tokyo Marathon (2:03:13), as well as a third-place finish at the 2018 Tokyo Marathon (2:06:33) and the 2019 World Championships in Doha (2:10:51).
Other notable Kenyan athletes in the race include Vincent Ngetich, the 2023 Berlin Marathon runner-up, and John Korir, who finished third at the 2022 Chicago Marathon. The Ethiopian contingent features strong contenders such as Dawit Wolde, Amedework Welelegn, and Mohamed Esa. International competitors like Japan’s Tatsuya Maruyama and Americans Zach Panning and Brian Shrader also add to the elite lineup.
Conclusion
The 2024 Chicago Marathon promises to be a showcase of athletic excellence, with Ruth Chepng’etich chasing a historic third consecutive win and Daniel Ebenyo making his highly anticipated marathon debut. As elite runners from around the world converge in Chicago, the race is set to be a thrilling testament to endurance, strategy, and sheer determination.
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