Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich defended her Chicago Marathon title in a dominant display on Sunday, breaking the tape in 2hr 14min 18sec, as her compatriot Benson Kipruto cruised to victory in the men’s race in 2:04:24.
Chepngetich built up an early lead and had established an astonishing 3min 42sec advantage over the chasing pack by the halfway point.
Charging to the line with no one else was in sight, the 2019 world champion was in a race against the clock as she tried to break the world record but came up 14 seconds short of compatriot Brigid Kosgei’s mark, set on the same flat course three years ago. “I wanted to break the world record ...
but I’m happy,” Chepngetich said. “Next year I’m ready to come back again.” American Emily Sisson finished second in 2:18:29 and Kenyan Vivian Jerono Kiplagat third.