Two dominating performances took the honours in Chicago, as almost ideal conditions saw Jacob Kiplimo and Hawi Feysa storm to comfortable wins in their respective races.
There were initially hopes that this could be a multi-record-breaking day as both sets of runners set out at an impressive pace, but in the end, it was only USAs Conner Mantz who achieved such glory, as he set a new American marathon standard.
Here is all you need to know about how the races unfolded…
Men’s race – Sub-two-hour dream fades
At one point, it seemed as though Jacob Kiplimo could be on for a record-breaking Chicago win as he flew off at a blistering pace – but in the end was forced to settle for the eleventh-fastest marathon time in history.
In only his second ever marathon, having finished second at London in a time of 2:03:37, the Ugandan athlete crossed the line in 2:02:23, ahead of Kenyan duo Amos Kipruto (2:03:54) and Alex Masai (2:04:37). Defending champion John Korir dropped out of the race at the 20-mile mark.
Kiplimo, the 2021 Olympic bronze medalist in the 10,000 metres, is fast making a name for himself in the marathon world and started in Chicago with four pace-setters who helped him to complete the opening 10k in just 28:25 – the pace bringing in the possibility of a sub-two-hour finish.
Once the pacers dropped out, Korir and Kiplimo pushed to the front, and the pair were ten seconds ahead of the chasing pack at the 25k marker. The world record was under threat as Kiplimo went through 35km at 1:39:53, but he had slowed as the course headed back into a slight headwind.
However, Kiplimo didn’t wait too long before making his decisive move and burst away to pull 12 seconds clear of his rival Korir in what was a race-winning turn of pace.
He may have slowed significantly in the final mile as he clocked 5:20, but he had done enough to ensure victory was his in only his second marathon.
“I am so happy,” he said afterwards. “I think I came here to win, and it’s a big achievement for me. I knew the guy (Korir) was pushing too fast, so I decided to wait until 30km. I was trying to maintain the pace, but I think to me it was just to run my PB. I’m happy.”
Outside of the African clean-sweep at the top, American Conner Mantz was edged into fourth place in what was a thrilling battle with Masai. But while he missed out on the medals, he did set a new American marathon record of 2:04:43, beating Khalid Khannouchi’s long-standing 2:05:38 marker.
“That was a great feeling,” he said. “It was great to run with Alex (Masai) for the last 10 miles. I couldn’t quite beat him, but it was a great feeling and a great race. I think my run in Boston gave me great confidence today. We’ll see where we can take this record second by second.”
Women’s race – Feysa dominates from the off
Hawi Feysa won the women’s race after leading from the start and dominating throughout as she crossed the finish line with a time of 2:14:56 for her first World Marathon Major win.
Taking advantage of the perfect marathon conditions, the Ethiopian – who took bronze at the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year – stormed away from the rest of the field at mile 18 and never once looked in danger of being caught.
Fellow Ethiopian, Megertu Alemu, came in behind her compatriot with a time of 2:17:18, while Tanzanian Magdalena Shauri finished in third with a time of 2:18:03.
For Feysa, this victory also represented a new personal best marathon time, comfortably beating the 2:17:00 time that she achieved at Tokyo in March. Shauri also ran a PB as she beat her previous best of 2:18:41, which she achieved at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
Alemu had been trailing the pair at the halfway point as they hit a 1:07:30 split, but she steadily closed in on Shauri as she fell off the pace, leaving Feysa to push on alone.
The former track athlete eventually finished 2 minutes and 22 seconds ahead of Alemu and just a touch over three minutes ahead of Shauri.
Chicago Marathon 2025 results
Sunday 12 October, 26.2 miles / 42.2 kilometres
MEN:
- 1. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 2:02:23
- 2. Amos Kipruto (KEN) – 02:03:54
- 3. Alex Masai (KEN) – 02:04:37
WOMEN:
- 1. Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 02:14:56
- 2. Megertu Alemu (ETH) – 02:17:18
- 3. Magdalena Shauri (TAN) – 02:18:03
