After surging solo into the lead in the 22nd mile, Amos Kipruto ran unchallenged to victory at the 2026 Chicago Marathon in 2:01:09. The 34-year-old Kenyan gained his first World Marathon Majors victory after placing second in Chicago last year. Kipruto’s time is the second-fastest ever run on U.S. soil, after Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 course record of 2:00:35.
Kipruto is now tied with former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge for the fourth-fastest marathon in history. Tadese Bikila of Ethiopia placed second in 2:02:56. His compatriot Milkesha Mengesha was third in 2:03:46.
Defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda ran with Kipruto through 21 miles, but slowed significantly once dropped, placing fourth in 2:04:18. Clayton Young was the top U.S. finisher, placing seventh in a personal best of 2:05:23. The time makes Young the second-fastest American on a record-eligible course.
Charles Hicks, who ran with Young through 22 miles, was the second American man, placing eighth in 2:05:35, good for third on the all-time U.S. list. Vinny Mauri, who was on a U.S. record pace through 20 miles, stopped briefly in the 22nd mile because of an apparent quadriceps cramp. He was the third U.S. finisher, running 2:06:45 to place 10th overall.
Galen Rupp, age 40, who won here in 2017, placed 11th in 2:06:54. The time takes more than three minutes off the previous U.S. masters record. Kipruto and Kiplimo were on pace through 20 miles to better Kiptum’s course record, but their battle past 30K on a sunny Chicago morning took its toll, even on Kipruto.
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