FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Defending Champions Lead a Competitive Field Looking to Continue
the Tradition of Record-Breaking Performances on the Streets of Chicago
CHICAGO - Today the Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced its full
elite field for the 45th running of the event. One of the deepest,
most-decorated assemblies of athletes in race history, including all four
defending champions, will come together to continue the tradition of
competitive racing on Sunday, October 8.
"Chicago has been home to world-records, historic debuts and has served as
an introduction to runners who became legends of the sport," said Executive
Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "As we prepare to celebrate a landmark year
in the race's history, we anticipate historic performances that we will
talk about for years to come."
A regular podium finisher in the Abbott World Marathon Majors over the last
two years, Benson Kipruto of Kenya will defend his title in the men's race.
Kipruto broke away in the 25th mile last year to win in 2:04:24, the fourth
fastest time ever in Chicago. Should Kipruto win again, he'll be the first
back-to-back men's open field champion since the late Sammy Wanjiru in
2010.
Known for breaking his competitors with his top end speed in the race's
final miles, Kipruto will face perhaps his toughest competition yet when he
lines up alongside the second-fastest man in history. Fellow Kenyan Kelvin
Kiptum will make his U.S. marathon debut in Chicago. Kiptum won the 2023
London Marathon, only his second marathon ever, in 2:01:25, just 16 seconds
shy of Eliud Kipchoge's world record.
Looking to upset the headliners is Bashir Abdi of Belgium. Abdi is the
marathon bronze medalist from the 2020 Olympics and 2022 World
Championships. He won the Rotterdam Marathon in April. Chicago's 2021
champion Seifu Tura of Ethiopia will return for the third consecutive year.
Tura was runner-up to Kipruto in 2022.
After running the second-fastest marathon debut in American history in
Chicago last year, Conner Mantz will return to lead the American men's
field. Mantz will be chasing the Paris 2024 standard of 2:08:10, just six
seconds faster than his finishing time last fall. He'll be joined by Galen
Rupp, the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon champion and the only
American man to win the race in the last 20 years. Rupp, the second fastest
American marathoner of all-time and the 2016 Olympic Marathon bronze
medalist, was the 2021 Chicago runner-up.
Among the other top men in the field are Dawit Wolde (ETH), Daniel Do
Nascimento (BRA), John Korir (KEN), and Americans Matt McDonald, Frank Lara
and Chicago's own Colin Mickow.
Marcel Hug of Switzerland set the course record when he won the men's
wheelchair division for the third time at the 2022 Bank of America Chicago
Marathon. He'll return to defend that title and record, but he will have to
hold off three-time Chicago champion Daniel Romanchuk (USA) who was runner
up to Hug last year. Aaron Pike (USA) and Sho Watanbe (JPN) who were third
and fourth last year respectively, return in 2023, along with five-time
Chicago winner Ernst Van Dyk (RSA) who is in his final year of competition.
Jetze Plat (NED) will make his Chicago Marathon debut after placing second
and third at this year's London and Boston Marathons, respectively.
As previously announced, the women's elite field will be led by 2022 Bank
of America Chicago Marathon Champion Ruth Chepngetich (KEN), American
record holder Emily Sisson and 2023 London Marathon winner Sifan Hassan
(NED). Joining one of the most competitive women's fields in marathon
history is Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya. Jepkosgei, winner of the 2021
London Marathon and 2019 New York City Marathon will make her Chicago
debut. Also making her Chicago debut is Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia. One of
the most decorated athletes of all-time, Dibaba has held six world records
from the 1500m to the 5000m. She made her marathon debut in Amsterdam last
fall placing second in 2:18:05.
Along with Sisson, the American contingency features four of the country's
brightest marathon stars. Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel will take to
the streets of Chicago for the first time. In her most recent marathon
finish, Seidel made history as the fastest American woman to ever run the
New York City Marathon when she placed 4th in 2:24:42 in 2021. Two-time
Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon Champion Des Linden is coming back to
Chicago for the first time in 13 years. Linden last raced the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon in 2010, placing second. Emma Bates, who placed
fifth in this year's Boston Marathon in 2:22:10, returns to Chicago vying
for another podium finish. Bates secured two top five finishes in her
previous Chicago performances, placing 4th in 2019 and second in 2021.
Rounding out the top American competitors is 2020 Olympian Aliphine
Tuliamuk who will make her Chicago Marathon debut. Tuliamuk, the winner of
the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, was the top American finisher at the
2022 New York City Marathon and placed 11th in Boston in April with a new
personal best time.
Other notable competitors in the women's field include Ethiopia's Ababel
Yesheneh and Americans Nell Rojas, Sara Vaughn and Dakotah Lindwurm.
The women's wheelchair division includes the return of 2022 Bank of America
Chicago Marathon Champion Susannah Scaroni of the United States. Last year,
Chicago was the beginning of a winning streak for Scaroni who broke the
tape at the most recent New York City and Boston Marathons. Scaroni will
face two of the greatest competitors of all-time. Nine-time Chicago
champion Tatyana McFadden will be seeking her 10th victory. The American
was runner-up last year and set the course record in her 2017 victory.
Manuela Schär of Switzerland who withdrew from last year's race will
attempt her third Chicago win. Schär is the 2018 and 2019 Chicago champion.
2022 Berlin Marathon winner Catherine Debrunner (SUI), Merle Menje (GER)
and American Paralympian Jenna Fesemyer will also be among the top
contenders.
More than 45,000 participants will take part in the 45th edition of the
Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 8, 2023. For the latest
event updates, registered participants and community members are encouraged
to visit the Event FAQ which is available at chicagomarathon.com.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Field - Men's Open Division
Kelvin Kiptum (KEN, 2:01:25)
Bashir Abdi (BEL, 2:03:36)
Benson Kipruto (KEN, 2:04:24)
Dawit Wolde (ETH, 2:04:27)
Seifu Tura (ETH, 2:04:29)
Daniel Do Nascimento (BRA, 2:04:51)
John Korir (KEN, 2:05:01)
Galen Rupp (USA, 2:06:07)
Huseydin Mohamed (ETH, 2:05:05)
Milkesa Mengesha (ETH, 2:05:29)
Conner Mantz (USA, 2:08:16)
Yuki Matsumura (JPN, 2:09:01)
Takashi Ichida (JPN, 2:09:15)
Kei Katanishi (JPN, 2:09:27)
Masashi Nonaka (JPN, 2:09:47)
Matt McDonald (USA, 2:09:49)
Mick Iacofano (USA, 2:09:55)
Masaki Tuda (JPN, 2:10:40)
Mizuki Higashi (JPN, 2:11:04)
Colin Mickow (USA, 2:11:22)
Frank Lara (USA, 2:11:32)
Dan Kremske (USA, 2:14:53)
Daniel Mateiko (KEN, Debut)
Wesley Kiptoo (KEN, Debut)
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Field - Men's Wheelchair Division
Marcel Hug (SUI, 1:17:47 - WR)
Ernst Van Dyk (RSA, 1:18:04)
Aaron Pike (USA, 1:20:02)
Johnboy Smith (GBR, 1:20:05)
Kota Hokinoue (JPN, 1:20:54)
Daniel Romanchuk (USA, 1:21:36)
Rafael Botello (ESP, 1:22:09)
Jordi Madera (ESP, 1:22:10)
Patrick Monahan (IRL, 1:22:23)
Sho Watanabe (JPN, 1:24:00)
James Senbeta (USA, 1:24:27)
Simon Lawson (GBR, 1:25:06)
Jetze Plat (NED, 1:28:44)
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Field - Women's Open Division
Ruth Chepngetich (KEN, 2:14:18)
Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN, 2:17:43)
Genzebe Dibaba (ETH, 2:18:05)
Sutume Kebede (ETH, 2:18:12)
Emily Sisson (USA, 2:18:29)
Sifan Hassan (NED, 2:18:33)
Tigist Girma (ETH, 2:18:52)
Ababel Yesheneh (ETH, 2:20:51)
Des Linden (USA, 2:22:38)
Emma Bates (USA, 2:23:18)
Aliphine Tuliamuk (USA, 2:24:37)
Nell Rojas (USA, 2:24:51)
Molly Seidel (USA, 2:24:42)
Dakotah Lindwurm (USA, 2:25:01)
Sara Vaughn (USA, 2:26:23)
Gabriella Rooker (USA, 2:27:38)
Diane Nukuri (USA, 2:27:50)
Maggie Montoya (USA, 2:28:07)
Stacy Ndiwa (KEN, 2:31:53)
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Field - Women's Wheelchair Division
Manuela Schär (SUI, 1:28:17)
Susannah Scaroni (USA, 1:27:31)
Tatyana McFadden (USA, 1:31:30)
Jenna Fesemyer (USA, 1:33:50)
Catherine Debrunner (SUI, 1:36:47)
Vanessa De Souza (BRA, 1:40:21)
Merle Menje (GER, 1:42:12)
Michelle Wheeler (USA, 1:45:45)
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands of participants
from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class
elite 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. The 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a
member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant
Park on Sunday, October 8, 2023. In advance of the race, a three-day Abbott
Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on
Thursday, October 5, Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7. For more
information about the event and how to get involved, go to
chicagomarathon.com.
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