The Chicago Marathon 2024 took center stage this Sunday, October 13, with thousands of runners ready to make their mark. As the finish line welcomed countless finishers, one absence was deeply felt—Kelvin Kiptum, the man who made marathon history on these very streets last year, was no longer with us.
In 2023, Kiptum stunned the world by running a mind-blowing 2:00:35, setting a new marathon world record and becoming the first man to finish in under two hours and one minute. Tragically, only months after achieving this milestone, Kiptum and his coach were killed in a car accident in Kenya.
Before the race began, marathon organizers honored Kiptum with a moment of silence, paying tribute to his incredible legacy. In a statement shared earlier, they wrote, “The 2 hours and 35 seconds Kelvin spent on these streets last October will be forever etched into the history of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. As we look to the start line today, we remember his remarkable achievement and what could have been.”
Kiptum’s absence didn’t go unnoticed. Every runner who stepped up to the start line carried a part of his legacy, as his impact on the sport continues to inspire.
Ruth Chepngetich Smashes Women's World Record
The Chicago Marathon 2024 wasn’t just about reflection—it was also about making history. While the women’s elite field promised excitement, few expected to witness a world record, let alone a performance that would redefine women’s marathon racing.
Ruth Chepngetich came into the race determined to make her mark, and from the very start, she did just that. Pulling away from her competitors early, she reached the halfway point at a blistering pace of 1:04:16, not only setting a new record for American soil but also marking one of the fastest half-marathon splits ever recorded by a woman.
Despite slowing down slightly in the second half, the crowds pushed her forward. When she crossed the finish line in 2:09:57, Chepngetich became the first woman to break the 2:10:00 barrier, a monumental achievement that is often likened to a man breaking the two-hour marathon. Her emotions were clear in the post-race interview, where she dedicated her victory and record to her late compatriot, Kelvin Kiptum.
John Korir Claims the Men’s Title
In the men’s race, Kenya’s John Korir took control when it mattered most. The pacers set an initial pace for a 2:04:00 marathon, with a tight pack of elite runners sticking together through the 30K mark. Once the pacers stepped aside, Korir shifted gears, surging ahead of the field.
His move was decisive. Within 5K, Korir opened up a 30-second gap, which continued to widen. He crossed the line in 2:02:43, earning his first major marathon victory and posting the second-fastest time in Chicago Marathon 2024 history—behind only Kelvin Kiptum’s record-setting run.