Kiplimo, Lokedi and Hicks eye greatness in Chicago

In a year which has already had everything, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon a multitude of thrilling plot lines which could take the season to another level.

Could Jacob Kiplimo go sub-two? Will the US record be broken – and by who? Can Sharon Lokedi make history and win all the US Majors? Can Daniel Romanchuk end Marcel Hug’s winning streak? Will Catherine Debrunner win her fourth race of the season and wrap up the Elite Series?

Further back, 170 athletes will set off hoping to finish their Six Star Journey.

Greatness awaits
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It almost seems ludicrous that Sabastian Sawe’s remarkable 1:59:30 could be under threat on Sunday.

Jacob Kiplimo came third on that sensational day in London, running 2:00:28, which would have been a world record had Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha not been duking it out 300m ahead of him.

While something of a forgotten man as he ran down the Mall, the Ugandan might end up being the person everyone is talking about if he exploits Chicago’s notoriously fast course and breaks the world record.

He was on track to break Kelvin Kiptum’s record during his maiden Majors win here last year, going through 35km at 1:39:53 – quicker than Sawe managed in London - but he ran out of partners and faded in the closing stages.

Unlike last year, Kiplimo should have plenty of company on the flat roads with Tadese Takele, who won in Tokyo in 2025 and 2026, the 2024 Berlin winner Milkesa Mengesha and 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto all aiming for another Majors crown.

Just 12 months ago, there was huge fanfare as Conner Mantz ran 2:04:43 to break the US record.

Khalid Khannouchi’s time had stood for 23 years but it’s unlikely Mantz’s record will last that long with Charles Hicks, who has run 2:04:35 in Boston, and Clayton Young, who clocked 2:05:41 in the same race, primed for a crack at the record.

Despite those impressive times, all the talk Stateside has been about Vincent Mauri, who trained predominately on a treadmill before running 2:05:54 in his debut marathon in April.

United States of Lokedi
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The women’s race is equally intriguing as Sharon Lokedi attempts to become the first woman to win the three US Majors.

The Kenyan won New York in 2022 and the last two Boston Marathons and victory in Chicago would complete a US clean sweep.

However, she will have to do it the hard way with two-time Chicago winner and former world record holder Brigid Kosgei in the field.

The 32-year-old won her sixth Major in Tokyo, running the seventh-fastest time in Majors history, an astonishing feat given it was five years since her last victory.

Last year’s winner Hawi Feysa is also capable of a quick time. Her 2:14:57 is the eighth quickest in a Major while two-time Tokyo winner Sutume Kebede is the third fastest in the field.

Romanchuk to reign?
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Marcel Hug has not lost a Major since New York City two years ago, when he came a surprising fourth in a race won by Daniel Romanchuk.

Hug responded as champions do, winning every race he has taken part in since and his last victory, in Berlin, saw him six minutes ahead of the field.

While Hug flourished during the last two years, his counterpart Romanchuk experienced a frustrating period, with much of 2025 lost to injury.

The American got his act together in Sydney in August, winning his first Major since that victory in New York. Hug, by contrast, has won ten races over the same time period.

Romanchuk cut an emotional figure when he was interviewed in Australia and he will now get the opportunity to put it all on the line against his Swiss nemesis and chase a fourth win in Chicago.

Romanchuk celebrates winning in New York

Debrunner on verge of series win
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Catherine Debrunner has been such a dominant force this season that she could wrap up the Elite Series with one race still remaining.

The Swiss won in Tokyo, London and Berlin and a fourth win of the season would make her lead unassailable.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper and Manuela Schär, winners in Boston and Sydney respectively, will be aiming to upset the favourite and win for the second time this season.