The next marathon major arrives on Sunday with the Chicago Marathon setting the stage for both the world record and American record possibly falling in the same day.
John Korir knows that plenty is at stake including defending his title, a stunning 2:02:44 win last year as a sub-2:01 could be within reach. After a commanding 2:04:45 victory in Boston in April, Korir is poised to end his 2025 campaign with little doubt that he is more than an emerging talent in the distance landscape.
“I am confident that I will be able to defend my title at the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon this October,” Korir said in August when the elite fields were announced. “My training is going well, and I am focused on achieving another personal best time.”
The win in Boston put him in rare company as he posted the eighth fastest time ever; an indicator that more shuffling of who tops that list is likely on the way.
The wins on the biggest stages are proof that he can confidently wear the title of being a favorite at any event. And the looming presence of the late Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 on the course back in 2023 is a reminder of what is possible in Chicago.
Still, Korir will have plenty of talent to contend with at the start line in the form of several men who have cracked 2:05 — and below — as Amos Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat, Cybrian Kotut, Bashir Abdi and Jacob Kiplimo simply won’t permit the race to fall in the hands of a single competitor through the halfway point.
Kotut was a factor in Boston this year and finished third behind Korir and is far from a long shot on Sunday, while Kipruto also finished third behind Korir but it was at last year’s race in Chicago.
Meanwhile, Conner Mantz is locked in on taking down the United States (2:05:38) and North American (2:05:36) records in a single statement performance. Mantz has proven that he can stick with the best in the world in a major marathon setting — his 2:05:08 in Boston is proof. But he will need a well-executed ride in Chicago to shatter the respective aforementioned records as he is arguably the leading face of American distance running.
In the women’s race, there will definitely be a new champion as last year’s winner Ruth Chepngetich, who dominated in world record fashion, is serving a doping ban.
That leaves the field wide open as Megertu Alemu, Bedatu Hirpa and Hawi Feysa are the ones to watch on the course. All three have 2:19 speed and below and it would be easy to predict that this group would be part of a tight lead pack as it will be a tossup of who will look for the right opportunity to break free for a late sprint.
Alemu knows the course well and finished third in 2023, while Feysa will make her debut in Chicago. Hirpa’s 2:18:27 win in Dubai in January is obviously an indicator that she will assert herself as a factor late on Sunday.
“I look forward to returning to the Chicago Marathon to try and improve on my previous performance there,” Alemu also said in the August race announcement. “The course is very flat and fast; and with my good training this year; I feel that I am fit to run better this time in Chicago and move higher up on the podium. I look forward to the race and the energy that the city gives you.”
Haven Hailu Desse, Mary Ngugi-Cooper, Calli Hauger-Thackery and Lindsay Flanagan are among the notable that round the women’s field.
In the wheel wheelchair divisions Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner will be back to defend their titles, with Debrunner poised to grab a third straight victory in Chicago.
“Last year’s victory at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a huge course record meant a lot to me. 2024 was a crazy year as it was a Paralympic year,” Debrunner said in August. “I didn’t expect that outcome at all. This year I have the special situation of traveling directly from the World Track Championships in New Delhi to Chicago. I’m excited about this challenge!”
Start times
8:20 a.m.: Marathon Wheelchair start (men)
8:21 a.m.: Marathon Wheelchair start (women)
8:23 a.m.: Marathon Handcycle start
8:30 a.m.: Wave 1 start (Elite & Corrals A, B, C, D and E)
9:00 a.m.: Wave 2 start (Corrals F, G, H and J)
9:35 a.m.: Wave 3 start (Corrals K, L, M and N)
All times Eastern
How To Watch
Viewers in the Chicago can tune in locally on NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and TeleXitos for live coverage from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast internationally on a several networks, including Eurosport, Eurosport India, SMG China, FloSports, ESPN Brazil and ESPN Latin America.
Men’s elite field
John Korir (Kenya) – 2:02:44 (Chicago, 2024)
Timothy Kiplagat (Kenya) – 2:02:55 (Tokyo, 2024)
Amos Kipruto (Kenya) – 2:03:13 (Tokyo, 2023)
Cybrian Kotut (Kenya) – 2:03:22 (Berlin, 2024)
Bashir Abdi (Belgium) – 2:03:36 (Rotterdam, 2021)
Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) – 2:03:37 (London, 2025)
Philemon Kiplimo (Kenya) – 2:04:01 (Hamburg, 2025)
Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya) – 2:04:23 (London, 2023)
Huseydin Mohamed Esa (Ethiopia) – 2:04:39 (Chicago, 2024)
Conner Mantz (USA) – 2:05:08 (Boston, 2025)
Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) – 2:06:04 (Chicago, 2024)
Galen Rupp (USA) 2:06:07 (Prague, 2018)
Hiroto Inoue (Japan) – 2:06:14 (Tokyo, 2025)
Zouhair Talbi (Morocco) – 2:06:39 (Houston, 2024)
Ryan Ford (USA) – 2:08:00 (Boston, 2025)
Rory Linkletter (Canada) – 2:08:01 (Seville, 2024)
CJ Albertson (USA) – 2:08:17 (Chicago, 2024)
Alex Masai (Kenya) – 2:08:03 (Rotterdam, 2025)
Jia Erenjia (China) – 2:08:32 (Berlin, 2024)
Wesley Kiptoo Kenya – 2:08:54 (Boston, 2025)
Haftu Knight (USA) – 2:09:38 (Congers, 2025)
Andrew Colley (USA) – 2:09:46 (Prague, 2025)
Patricio Castillo (Mexico) – 2:10:40 (Seville, 2023)
Marc Scott (Great Britain) – 2:11:19 (London, 2024)
Colin Mickow (USA) – 2:11:22 (Chandler, 2020)
Kevin Salvano (USA) – 2:11:26 (Chicago, 2023)
Nick Hauger (USA) – 2:11:55 (Sacramento, 2024)
Robert Miranda (USA) – 2:12:07 (Sacramento, 2024)
Afewerki Zeru (USA) – 2:18:54 (Porto, 2023)
Matthew Centrowitz (USA) – 2:24:38 (Chicago, 2024)
Casey Clinger (USA) – Debut
Tai Dinger (USA) – Debut
Creed Thompson (USA) – Debut
Aidan Troutner (USA) – Debut
Nick Hauger (USA) – 2:11:55 (Sacramento, 2024)
Tyler Jermann (USA) – 2:12:40 (Chandler, 2020)
Fredrick Juma (Kenya) – Debut
Women’s elite field
Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia) – 2:16:34 (London, 2024)
Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia) – 2:17:00 (Tokyo, 2025)
Bedatu Hirpa (Ethiopia) – 2:18:27 (Dubai, 2025)
Haven Hailu Desse (Ethiopia) – 2:19:17 (London, 2025)
Mary Ngugi-Cooper (Kenya) – 2:20:22 (London, 2022)
Calli Hauger-Thackery (Great Britain) – 2:21:24 (Berlin, 2024)
Natosha Rogers (USA) – 2:23:51 (Nagoya, 2025)
Florencia Borelli (Argentina) – 2:24:18 (Seville, 2024)
Gabi Rooker (USA) – 2:24:29 (Chicago, 2024)
Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:40 (Chicago, 2024)
Melody Julien (France) – 2:25:01 (Valencia, 2023)
Philippa Bowden (Great Britain) – 2:25:47 (Berlin, 2024)
Makenna Myler (USA) 2:26:14 (Orlando, 2024)
Marta Galimany (Spain) – 2:26:14 (Valencia, 2022)
Aubrey Frentheway (USA) – 2:27:14 (Duluth, 2025)
Maggie Montoya (USA) – 2:27:50 (Rotterdam, 2025)
Loice Chemnung (Kenya) – Debut
Ejgayehu Taye (Ethiopia) – Debut
Emily Venters (USA) – Debut
