Chicago, USA – Uganda’s athlete Jacob Kiplimo delivered a commanding performance at his second career marathon at the Chicago Marathon, storming to victory in 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 23 seconds. The half-marathon world record holder broke away from the pack by the 30 kilometre mark, extending his lead to nearly a minute with five miles remaining. He eventually crossed the finish line 1 minute and 31 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, while Alex Masai, also from Kenya, finished third in 2:04:37.
After trailing last year’s winner John Korir early on, Kiplimo made his move around the halfway point and was able to lengthen his lead. Kiplimo was threatening the world record as late as the 22nd mile, but he slowed down as the race reached its final stage. By the time he got to the next mile marker, Kiplimo was already out of world record range.
Kiplimo, who finished runner up in his marathon debut in London earlier this year, looked relaxed and in control as he cruised through the final stretch, occasionally glancing back before collapsing in exhaustion a few metres after the finish line.
His finishing time of 2:02:23 ranks seventh all time and sets a new Ugandan national record, breaking the previous mark of 2:03:27 he achieved during the London Marathon in April 2025 when he earned silver.
