Ruth Chepngetich: World champion to make Chicago marathon debut

Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya’s 2019 world marathon champion, will be among the elite field of athletes who will feature at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to be held on 10th October. Chepngetich will be making her Chicago Marathon debut.

The 27-year-old set the world record in the half marathon when she stopped the clock at 1:04:02 in Istanbul and holds a marathon personal best of 2:17:08, making her the fourth fastest woman in history. “I have never raced in the States and making my debut in such a great race like the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is more than a dream to me,” she was quoted by World Athletics.

“I will give all myself trying to run as fast as possible. The presence of such a wonderful elite field will boost me.”

Others who will make appearance include Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla and Seifu Tura, US legion of Galen Rupp and Sara Hall, and the USA’s Keira D’Amato, Emma Bates, Chris Derrick and Lindsay Flanagan.

“We are excited to welcome so many outstanding athletes to Grant Park this fall,” executive race director Carey Pinkowski was quoted by World Athletics.

“While we expect to see fast times up front, we are focusing on celebrating every athlete in this year’s field – and the personal stories, challenges, and triumphs that they bring with them. This event is special in so many ways because it captures the human spirit – from the first runner across the line to the last.”

This year’s marathon coincides with the elation of an Olympic year and the thrill of an autumn road racing season that includes all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. With seven sub-2:06 men in the field vying for their first AbbottWMM victory, the stage is set for a dramatic race up front.

Top athletes in the men’s elite field include two-time Olympic medallist Rupp, 2019 Dubai Marathon champion Molla, 2018 Valencia Marathon runner-up Hassan El Abbassi of Bahrain and fourth-place finisher at the 2021 Milan Marathon, Seifu Tura. The following four athletes boast 2:05 personal bests: Shifera Tamru, Joel Kimurer, Eric Kiptanui and Laban Korir.