Press Release - Chicago Marathon - 10/12/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Defending Champion Rita Jeptoo and Two-Time Olympic Medalist 
                  Eliud Kipchoge Claim Victory in Chicago

            A Record 40,802 Runners Cross Grant Park Finish Line

CHICAGO -- In today's Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a record 40,802 
runners crossed the finish line in Grant Park under ideal weather 
conditions. The men's race saw a Kenyan sweep with Eliud Kipchoge stealing 
the show in 2:04:11, and Sammy Kitwara and Dickson Chumba dueling for 
second, with Kitwara out-striding Chumba down Columbus Drive, 2:04:28 to 
2:04:32.

"They say if you have a will, then you will be successful," said Kipchoge, 
winning his first World Marathon Major and third marathon. "I had a will to 
transition to the marathon and that is why I have been able to win so 
well."

Rita Jeptoo (KEN) easily defended her title, breaking the tape in 2:24:35. 
Mare Dibaba (ETH) held on for second in 2:25:37, and current half-marathon 
world record holder, Florence Kiplagat (KEN), secured a podium finish in 
2:25:57.

The men's wheelchair competition featured a historic finish with the top 11 
men finishing within 11 seconds of each other. Joshua George (USA) edged 
Kurt Fearnley (AUS) at the line by one second, 1:32:12 to 1:32:13. In the 
women's race, Tatyana McFadden (USA) handily defended her title, taking 
home her fourth straight victory and her fifth at the Bank of America 
Chicago Marathon, in the last six years.

"I think it went very well. We had a beautiful fall day and cool weather," 
said Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey 
Pinkowski. "The marathon became technical racing. The women were watching 
each other a little bit and the men had a lot of gamesmanship.

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