Kenyan long-distance runner John Korir clinched the men’s title at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday after crossing the finish line in a personal best time of two hours, 22 minutes, and 44 seconds (2:22:44).
The race, which began with the runners paying tribute to the late Kelvin Kiptum, ended with his 27-year-old compatriot Korir claiming his first major marathon triumph.
Kiptum led an African 1-2-3 as Ethiopian Mohamed Esa ran a time of 2:04:39 to finish in second place, while another Kenyan, Amos Kipruto, got the bronze medal in 2:04:50.
“It was really nice to run my [personal best] and win in Chicago,” Korir said.
“Today I was thinking about Kiptum and I said ‘last year if he could run under 2:01, why not me?’ So I had to believe in myself and try to do my best.”
MEN’S CHAMPION: John Korir takes the 2024 @BankofAmerica #ChicagoMarathon crown in a dominating performance of 2:02:43! pic.twitter.com/VLszL5KsbX
— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 13, 2024
The late Kiptum, who died at the age of 24 in a car crash in February, holds the men’s marathon world record, having clocked 2:00:35 in Chicago in October 2023.
It was, however, only right that Kenyans led the event on a day he was being remembered, as four of the top five were Kenyans, with Vincent Ngetich and Daniel Ebenyo finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
