The elite entry list for the 2026 Chicago Marathon is out: nine men under 2:05 and ten women under 2:19. The lineup is nothing short of spectacular. On the Windy City course on October 11, this is guaranteed to be a top-level showdown. Men's elites: Last year Jacob Kiplimo absolutely lit up the race, with his first half faster than the world record at the time. His tug-of-war with John Korir is still vivid in memory — Kiplimo surged after 30 km, successfully dropped his rivals and won in 2:02:23, while John Korir unfortunately withdrew at 32 km. This year in London he ran 2:00:28, the third-fastest time in history, and earlier in the year he also set a new half marathon world record. In peak form, he is the unquestioned top favorite. Will he employ the same front-running strategy as last year? Can he successfully defend his title — or even break 2 hours? In 2018 Suguru Osako ran 2:05:50 here to break the Japanese marathon record for the first time, becoming the first Asian marathoner to crack the 2:06 barrier. Now back at this lucky course, his goal is clearly to go one step further. Last year on this course American Conner Mantz ran 2:04:43, smashing the 23-year-old U.S. marathon record (2:05:38). Although Charles Hicks ran a PB of 2:04:35 in Boston this year, that downhill course prevented the mark from being ratified as a record. Can he replicate Conner Mantz's performance in Chicago and become the new American marathon standard-bearer? Last year's runner-up Amos Kipruto and third-place Alex Masai both return — Kipruto ran a personal best of 2:01:29 in London this year, and Masai is clearly hungry for revenge. Also entered are 2024 Berlin champion Mikesa Mengesha and two-time Tokyo winner Tadese Takele. The competition among the men's elites will be exceptionally fierce. Women's elites: Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei returns to Chicago after seven years. It was here in 2019 that she set the world record of 2:14:04; this year she also won the Tokyo Marathon and arrives in hot form. Her return immediately reshapes the title picture. Defending champion Hawi Feysa, last year's dark horse in Chicago, won by just over two minutes. Her training teammate, Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay — who also trains under coach Gemedu Dedefo — made her debut this year at the Barcelona Marathon, posting an astonishing 2:10:51 to win the women's race and recording the second-fastest marathon debut in women's history. One can't help but ask: how will Hawi Feysa evolve this year? Will she produce another stunning performance like last year? Among the women's elites, Sutume Kebede, Megertu Alemu and others also have the credentials to contend for podium spots. Flat, fast courses have always been fertile ground for fast times — the Chicago Marathon on October 11 is one to watch. #Chicago Marathon #marathon #Jacob Kiplimo #Suguru Osako #Trail Running Explosion