John Korir will head back to the Windy City to defend his title as the elite fields for the 2025 Chicago Marathon on October 17 were announced on Thursday.
Last year, Korir roared to a 2:02:44 win and will be joined by a staked men’s group that includes six competitors who all have cracked the 2:04 mark — and are prepared to battle in a final sprint to the line.
Timothy Kiplagat, Amos Kipruto, CyBrian Kotut, Bashir Abdi, Jacob Kiplimo, Philemon Kiplimo and Geoffrey Kamworwor lead the way alongside Korir in one of the final marathon majors of the year.
“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 a statement. “My training is going well, and I am focused on achieving another personal best time.”
Korir, the eighth fastest man in history, looks to build on a solid 2025 after pulling off a gripping win in the Boston Marathon in 2:04:45 in April. And while winning Chicago again is the main goal, Korir has made it clear that he is pushing to break 2:01 and continue to soar up the list of distance runners who have defied the past confines of the sport.
On the women’s side, a balanced lineup of speed and tactics will be on display as Megertu Alemu set to fight for the top podium spot. Alemu caught the attention of the distance world last December when she powered her way to a 2:16:49 at the Valencia Marathon.
“I look forward to returning to the Chicago Marathon to try and improve on my previous performance there,” Alemu said in a statement, “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.”
She is joined by a talented field that includes Hawi Feysa, Irine Cheptai, Bedatu Hirpa, Haven Hailu Desse and Mary Ngugi-Cooper.
Meanwhile the defending champions of the men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner, will be back to battle for their titles — with Debrunner on the hunt for 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 a statement. “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!”
2025 Chicago Marathon entries
Elite men’s 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 Kamworwor (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)
Matt Richtman (USA) – 2:07:56 (Los Angeles, 2025)
Ryan Ford (USA) – 2:08:00 (Boston, 2025)
Rory Linkletter (Canada) – 2:08:01 (Seville, 2024)
CJ Albertson (USA) – 2:08:17 (Chicago, 2024)
Hideyuki Tanaka (Japan) – 2:09:27 (Tokyo, 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)
Casey Clinger (USA) – Debut
Tai Dinger (USA) – Debut
Elite women’s field
Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia) – 2:16:34 (London, 2024)
Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia) – 2:17:00 (Tokyo, 2025)
Irine Cheptai (Kenya) – 2:17:51 (Chicago, 2024)
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)
Lindsay Flanagan (USA) – 2:23:31 (Chicago, 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, 2023)
Melody Julien (France) – 2:25:01 (Valencia, 2023)
Philippa Bowden (Great Britain) – 2:25:47 (Berlin, 2024)
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
