WATCH: Ruth Chepngetich Sets World Record At Chicago Marathon And Becomes The First Woman To Break 2:10

The Kenyan took an emotional victory, which she dedicated to late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum.

The windy city lined the street as they came out for the 2024 Chicago Marathon this Sunday, October 13, 2024.

Thousands of runners will cross the finish line today at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, however, there is one noticeable absence this year from the world record course — the runner who set that record last year, just months before his death.

Itโ€™s impossible to say much about the Chicago Marathon without first acknowledging and remembering Kelvin Kiptum.

kelvin kiptum crossing chicago marathon finish line

Last year, Kelvin Kiptum wrote his name in the history books after running a record-breaking time of 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon, becoming the first runner to finish a marathon in under two hours and one minute. His celebration was cut short when the young phenom and his coach were tragically killed in a car crash in Kenya just months after the incredible feat.

“The 2 hours and 35 seconds that Kelvin Kiptum spent on Chicagoโ€™s streets last October will be moments forever remembered in the history of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon,” organizers wrote in a tribute video posted to social media Tuesday. “This year, as we acknowledge the loss and void at the start line, we want to remember his legacy. Kiptum pushed the sport of marathoning beyond what anyone thought was possible, and what he would have done next is what leaves us all with wonder and often sadness.โ€

Today, Kiptum was honored with a moment of silence on the start line before the race began, and it was clear that everyone was running with Kiptum in their minds.

WATCH: Ruth Chepngetich Sets World Record At Chicago Marathon And Becomes The First Woman To Break 2:10 1

A Historic Women’s Marathon

Ever since the 2023 Berlin Marathon, where Tigst Assefa set a new women’s world record of 2:11:53, all eyes have been on when a woman would break 2:10:00.

While the 2024 Chicago Marathon women’s elite field promised an exciting race, most predicted a potential course record at best, with hopes high to see a sub-2:13:00.

A world record, let alone a sub-2:10:00, was the last thing we all expected.

That was until Ruth Chepngetich took off on a mission.

From the gun, Chepngetich created a gap from the rest of the field.

WATCH: Ruth Chepngetich Sets World Record At Chicago Marathon And Becomes The First Woman To Break 2:10 2

She came through the halfway point in 1:04:16, which not only was the fastest half-marathon run by a woman on American soil but also the fifth-fastest half-marathon run by a woman in history (and she still had another half-marathon to go!).

Although she slowed a bit in the second half, the crowds in Chicago pushed her on. Chepngetich blew the world record out of the water, crossing the line in 2:09:57. Chepngetich became the first woman in history to break 2:10:00, which is generally considered the equivalent of a male runner breaking 2:00.

In her post-race interview, Chepngetich was clearly emotional and dedicated her victory and world record to her late compatriot, Kelvin Kiptum.

WATCH: Ruth Chepngetich Sets World Record At Chicago Marathon And Becomes The First Woman To Break 2:10 3

John Korir Takes Men’s Race

Kenya’s John Korir dominated the final 10K of the men’s marathon.

The pacers set out at a 2:04:00 pace, with a group of 7-9 runners sitting comfortably behind through 30K.

Shortly after, when the pacers dropped out, Korir set fire to the group. The Kenyan’s surge of pace was unmatched by any of his competitors and he opened a gap of 30 seconds in less than 5K.

Korir came into the finishing shoot with no competitors in sight, able to savor his first Major Marathon victory, crossing the line in 2:02:43. His time is the second-fastest in Chicago Marathon history, only behind the 2:00:35 world record set in 2023 by the late Kelvin Kiptum.

2024 Chicago Marathon Men’s And Women’s Top 10

Women’s Top 10

  • Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:09:56
  • Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:17:32
  • Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:17:51
  • Buze Diriba Kejela (ETH) 2:20:22
  • Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:20:51
  • Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:20:52
  • Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:21:56
  • Ashete Bekere Dido (ETH) 2:23:10
  • Lindsay Flanagan (USA) 2:23:31
  • Stacy Ndiwa (KEN) 2:23:42

Men’s Top 10

  • John Korir (KEN) 2:02:44
  • Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39
  • Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:04:50
  • Vincent Ngetich (KEN) 2:05:16
  • Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) 2:06:04
  • Kyohei Hosoya (JPN) 2:07:20
  • CJ Albertson (USA) 2:08:17
  • Toshiki Sadakata (JPN) 2:08:22
  • Zach Panning (USA) 2:09:16
  • Yuichi Yasui (JPN) 2:10:11

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Jessy Carveth

Senior News Editor

Jessy has been active her whole life, competing in cross-country, track running, and soccer throughout her undergrad. She pivoted to road cycling after completing her Bachelor of Kinesiology with Nutrition from Acadia University. Jessy is currently a professional road cyclist living and training in Spain.

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