Ruth Chepngetich Smashes the World Record at the 46th Running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

October 13, 2024

Catherine Debrunner bests her course record and John Korir runs the second fastest time in event history

CHICAGO /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Ruth Chepngetich’s (KEN) solo campaign to rewrite the record books dominated the day as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon solidified its reputation as a record-setting event. Following in the footsteps of the late Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world record in Chicago last fall (2:00:35), Chepngetich relentlessly pushed herself toward the finish, breaking the tape in 2:09:56 (unofficial). On the men’s side, John Korir (KEN) made a bold statement by running a personal best and the second fastest time in Chicago’s history, 2:02:44. Marcel Hug (SUI) picked up his fifth victory, defending his title in the men’s wheelchair race in 1:25:54. Compatriot Catherine Debrunner (SUI) crushed her 2023 course record in the women’s wheelchair race to prevail over her competition and defend her title in 1:36:12.

In her signature style of racing, Chepngetich set a blistering pace from the beginning. Only Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who hinted at a world record attempt, tried to stay with Chepngetich, a move that saw her run the second half of the race eight minutes slower than the first half. Chepngetich’s half marathon split, 1:04:16, is the fifth fastest half marathon time in history and the fastest ever run on U.S. soil. The second half of the race emerged as a duel between Chepngetich and the clock. With a 4:45 25th mile, Chepngetich strode to victory, running nearly two minutes faster than Tigst Assefa’s world record (2:11:53). Chepngetich, who is self-coached, now owns the first, fourth and fifth fastest times ever run in Chicago.

Following the race, Chepngetich declared that breaking the world record was “my plan.”

“I was not worried [about the pace]. I was feeling good. I decided we will go with that pace,” said Chepngetich. “My plan was 2:09 or 2:10. The world record is not easy. You need focus and determination.”

Chepngetich’s world record is the seventh set in Chicago, making the Bank of America Chicago Marathon home to both the men’s and women’s current world records.

“Ruth has put herself on world record pace in previous events,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “She knows what it feels like, and she is not unfamiliar with that. Today is an example of her fearless running style. I felt she would get the record – it was a matter of how, not when.”

More than seven and a half minutes after Chepngetich broke the world record, Kebede finished second in 2:17:32 while Irine Cheptai (KEN) finished third in 2:17:51. Susanna Sullivan (USA) was the first American woman across the line, finishing seventh in 2:21:56. Her time makes her the fifth fastest American woman to ever run the Chicago Marathon and the 10th fastest woman in American history.

Unlike the women’s race, the men’s race quickly formed into a tight pack of 10 athletes that dwindled to seven by 30K, but not for long. Between 30K and 35K, John Korir (KEN) hit the gas pedal, running a pair of 4:25 and 4:22 miles to leave his competition fighting for the last two spots on the podium. Korir captured the victory in Chicago in 2:02:44, making him the sixth fastest man in history.

“I knew I was in 2:02 shape,” said Korir. “I knew I wanted to close the season with my PB (personal best), and I did. My training was good and when I was training, my coach told me, ‘You can run 2:02.’ I believed him.”

Mohamed Esa (ETH) put some distance between himself and Amos Kipruto (KEN) over the final meters of the race, finishing second overall in 2:04:39. Kipruto finished third in 2:04:50. CJ Albertson was the first American to finish in 2:08:17. Albertson took more than 90 seconds off his personal best to finish seventh overall.

The women’s wheelchair race turned into a time-trial effort for Paralympic gold medalist Catherine Debrunner after American Susannah Scaroni endured a flat tire that caused her to drop out of the race. Debrunner flew to the finish solo in 1:36:12, breaking the course record she set last year. Manuela Schär finished second in 1:39:03 and nine-time Bank of America Chicago Marathon champion, Tatyana McFadden, finished third in 1:41:59.

“I was super excited to come back here to Chicago,” said Debrunner at the finish line. “I really like the marathon here. It was just really unfortunate that Susannah got a flat tire really early . . . there was a lot of wind and of course, it’s always tough when you do all yourself. And I struggled quite often, so I was really happy when I was in the finish.”

Unlike the women’s race, the men’s race came down to a sprint finish between Paralympic gold medalist Hug and three-time Chicago winner, Daniel Romanchuk. Hug, known as the “silver bullet,” used the slight uphill on Roosevelt Road to gain an advantage over Romanchuk. Prior to the race, Hug said that he was feeling tired after winning the Paralympic Marathon and the Berlin Marathon, but he saved enough energy to become a five-time champion in Chicago. Hug finished first in 1:25:54. Romanchuk was second in 1:25:58 and Tomoki Suzuki (JPN) was third in 1:26:05. Today marked the first time in Chicago Marathon history that three men broke 1:27 in the same race.

“I’m very, very happy, very satisfied,” said Hug at the finish. “It was a beautiful day for the marathon today with good conditions, great atmosphere . . . it was a tactical race. I attacked countless times and then we had a finish sprint and luckily I won.”

David Eik (USA) was the first non-binary participant to cross the finish line in 2:34:01.

More than 50,000* runners finished the 46^th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the most in race history.

The 47^th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on October 12, 2025.

The four-week application period for the marathon will open on Tuesday, October 22.

Event Photos

Event photos are available online. To access the photos, you will need to sign up for a free account. Credit Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris.

Abbott Chicago 5K

The eighth running of the Abbott Chicago 5K took place on Saturday, October 12. The Abbott Chicago 5K offers runners a unique opportunity to take over the streets of downtown Chicago. Yandelish Rodriguez Fontanet (PR) broke the tape first in a swift 15:18. Juan Luis Barrios (MEX) finished second in 15:27, and Oscar Caltenco Abriz (MEX) finished third in 15:43. Emma Coburn (USA) blazed to the finish, winning in 16:09. Hannah Borenstein (USA) finished second in 18:16 and Noelle Montcalm (CAN) finished third in 18:29. More than 9,200 runners crossed the finish line on Wacker Street.

About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

In its 47^th year on Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome thousands of participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class professional athlete field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity participants. The race’s iconic course takes participants through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, 1.7 million spectators line the streets cheering on tens of thousands of participants from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating over $547 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 12. In advance of the race, a three-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Thursday, October 9, Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11.

For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com

*Unofficial as of October 13 at 4 p.m. Central Time

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Reporters May Contact:

Alex Sawyer, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, 1.312.992.6618
alex.sawyer@cemevent.com

Diane Wagner, Bank of America, 1.312.992.2370

diane.wagner@bofa.com