The much-anticipated Chicago Marathon took place on October 13th and certainly lived up to expectations. Viewers were captivated, especially in the final moments of the race. However, it was Ruth Chepngetich who stole the show with a phenomenal performance, making headlines as she delivered one of the most impressive runs in marathon history.
The Kenyan runner left spectators in awe by breaking the world record by nearly two minutes, completing the marathon in an astonishing 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds. This equates to a remarkable pace of five minutes per mile over the entire 26.2 miles, a feat that has redefined marathon performance and may remain unchallenged for years. Chepngetich wasn’t the only athlete to break records at this event, as several others also set new personal and event records, making this year’s marathon a truly historic occasion.
In the women’s wheelchair category, Catherine Debrunner made history by dominating the race and finishing in 1 hour and 36 minutes. No other competitors were in sight when she crossed the finish line, and her time may set a new course record, as it was two minutes faster than the previous one. Although her record is yet to be certified, it highlights the exceptional form she has maintained since her Berlin Marathon debut two years ago, which she won consecutively. Debrunner has now established herself as the athlete to beat in this category.
While Chepngetich’s performance garnered significant attention, the men’s race was equally spectacular. Another Kenyan, John Korir, claimed victory with a personal best time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 44 seconds. This timing now ranks as the second-fastest marathon finish in history, just behind Kelvin Kiptum’s world record set in 2023. Korir’s potential had been evident since 2021 when he won his first Los Angeles Marathon, and he followed it up with another victory the next year. After finishing third in the 2022 Chicago Marathon and fourth in 2023, his victory this year in such a commanding fashion was a special achievement for him.
In addition to these remarkable athletic feats, the 2024 Chicago Marathon also set a record for the largest number of participants in its history, with 52,150 people taking part. This topped last year’s attendance of 47,000 and was a proud moment for the organizers, reflecting the trust athletes and participants place in the event to pursue their goals. Whether for fitness or glory, the shared ambition of the runners created a memorable experience for all. The success of this year’s marathon has only heightened anticipation for next year’s race, scheduled for October 12th, 2025, which many hope will be just as thrilling.
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