The 2026 Chicago Marathon elite roster is out: nine men sub-2:05 and ten women sub-2:19. It’s a star-studded field. On the Windy City course on October 11, it’s destined to be a top-level showdown.
Men's elite:
Last year Jacob Kiplimo ripped the race apart, running the first half faster than the standing world record at the time. His tug-of-war with John Korir was vivid to watch; he ultimately surged after 30 km to drop his rivals and took the win in 2:02:23, while John Korir sadly 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 undisputed top favorite.
Will he employ the same fast first-half strategy as last year? Can he successfully defend his title, or even go under 2:00?
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 dip under 2:06. Now returning to this lucky course, his goal is clearly to go 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 set a PB of 2:04:35 at Boston this year, that downhill-heavy course is not eligible for record ratification. Can he replicate Conner Mantz’s Chicago performance and become the new American marathon leader?
Last year’s runner-up Amos Kipruto and third-placer Alex Masai both return; Kipruto just ran a PB of 2:01:29 in London this year, while Masai is stewing and eager for “revenge.”
Also entered are 2024 Berlin champion Mikesa Mengesha and Tadese Takele, who has claimed back-to-back wins in Tokyo. The competition among the men's elites is brutally fierce.
Women's elite:
Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei returns to Chicago after seven years. It was here in 2019 that she ran the world record of 2:14:04; this year she also won the Tokyo Marathon and is in red-hot form. Her return immediately changes the title equation.
Defending champion Hawi Feysa, last year’s dark horse in Chicago, ultimately won by just over two minutes.
Her training teammate, Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay—also coached by Gemedu Dedefo—made her marathon debut this year in Barcelona, posting an impressive 2:10:51 to win the women's race and record the second-fastest marathon debut in history.
One has to ask: how will Hawi Feysa evolve this year? Will she produce another awe-inspiring performance like last year?
Among the women's elites, Sutume Kebede, Megertu Alemu and others also have the capability to challenge for the podium.
Flat, fast courses have always been fertile ground for big results — the Chicago Marathon on October 11 is one to watch.