FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chepngetich and Kipruto Crowned Champions as Sisson Breaks American Record
at the 44th Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Hug shatters course record and Scaroni captures first Chicago victory
in the elite wheelchair competition
CHICAGO -- In today's 44th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon,
record performances and ideal race conditions set the tone for the day.
Under sunny skies with cheers by enthusiastic spectators, 40,000 runners
traversed 29 Chicago neighborhoods on their journey to becoming official
marathon finishers. In the elite competition, Ruth Chepngetich (KEN)
defended her title, running away from the field to become the second
fastest woman in history. Compatriot Benson Kipruto (KEN) surged late in
the men's race to cement his win, running the fourth fastest time in
Chicago's history. American Emily Sisson crushed the American marathon
record by 43 seconds, and Conner Mantz, making his marathon debut, became
the seventh fastest man in U.S. history. In the wheelchair competition,
Marcel Hug (SUI) broke the course record and Susannah Scaroni (USA)
captured her first victory in Chicago as well as her first win in the
Abbott World Marathon Majors.
"Chicago has a long tradition of welcoming runners to its start line and
today was just a phenomenal day for runners, volunteers, spectators and the
entire City of Chicago," said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago
Marathon executive race director. "We witnessed a historic day of racing
with Ruth nearly running a world record, Emily breaking the American record
and Marcel rewriting the course record. There were so many amazing
performances out there, from the first runner to the last runner across the
line."
The Elite Competition
A talented field of elite runners from around the world gathered in
Chicago's Grant Park ready to battle their competition. The women's race
immediately turned into a world record chase with defending champion
Chepngetich flying out of the start with a 4:47 first mile, leaving
spectators to wonder just how fast the 2019 World Marathon champion might
run. Running stride by stride with her pacer, she maintained sub
five-minute mile pace until the seventh mile when she split 5:02. Her race
against the clock continued as one commentator announced, "We're seeing
magic happen right now." Chepngetich stayed on world record pace through
40K, but lost speed over the final kilometers of the course, coming home in
2:14:18, the second fastest time in history and a personal best by nearly
three minutes.
While Chepngetich dueled the clock, the chase pack barreled out of the
start on sub-2:18 pace. Emily Sisson, the American half marathon record
holder, was among the group of competitors fighting for the final two spots
on the podium. Running steady and even, she picked up the pace with four
miles to go, separating herself while embarking on a final quest to break
the American women's marathon record. Sisson succeeded, crossing the finish
line in 2:18:29 while also collecting the 25K and 30K American records on
her way to a runner-up finish. Vivian Kiplagat (KEN), a three-time winner
of the Milan Marathon, grabbed the third spot in 2:20:52.
Five American women, including Sisson, landed inside the top 10: Susannah
Sullivan (fifth), Sara Vaughn (seventh), Maggie Montoya (eighth) and Makena
Morley (tenth).
In a stark departure from the women's race, the men's race kicked off with
a group of 11 contenders bunched together. Defending champion Seifu Tura
(ETH) looked calm and powerful as he waited for someone to make the first
move. Ten athletes passed through the half in 1:02:24, outside of a course
record pace (2:03:45), but still within striking distance. Bernard Koech
(KEN) pushed the pace between the 30K and 35K mark, forcing the pack to
fracture. The pack dwindled to four led by Koech, 2021 Boston Marathon
champion Benson Kipruto, Tura, and John Korir (KEN). Korir, a two-time
winner of the Los Angeles Marathon, surprised many as he looked primed to
destroy his personal best, 2:09:08, by about five minutes.
After making the initial break in the race, Koech was the first to drop off
the pack. The race remained a three-man fight for position until Kipruto
accelerated at mile 24 and did what he does best: used his signature
late-race surge to expand his lead, breaking the tape first in 2:04:24, a
personal best. Although Tura failed to match the footspeed of a
hard-charging Kipruto, he finished second in 2:04:49, the eighth fastest
time in Chicago's history. Korir, running in his first Abbott World
Marathon Major, placed third with a significant personal best, 2:05:01 (the
10th fastest time in Chicago's history).
Conner Mantz commanded U.S. fan attention as he attempted to break the
American marathon debut record. He missed the record by a mere 20 seconds,
running 2:08:16, but he etched his name in another record book as he became
the seventh fastest man in U.S. history.
Wheelchair Competition
In the women's elite wheelchair competition, Susannah Scaroni, the 5000m
world record holder, dropped the hammer in the first mile and took a
commanding lead. Like Chepngetich, her race turned into a campaign against
the clock. Scaroni dominated to win by four minutes in 1:45:48. She was
followed to the line by nine-time Chicago Marathon champion Tatyana
McFadden (USA) in 1:49:46. Jenna Fesemyer (USA) came home third in 1:49:54,
her fastest time in Chicago.
In the men's elite wheelchair competition, two-time Paralympic gold
medalist and 2016 and 2017 Chicago Marathon champion, Marcel Hug, was
unstoppable. Aligned with the theme of the day, Hug's race turned into a
solo attempt to break Chicago's longest standing course record, 1:26:56,
set by Heinz Frei in 2010. Hug delivered with time to spare, setting a new
course record, 1:25:20, to secure his third victory in Chicago. Three-time
winner Daniel Romanchuk (USA) trailed eight minutes behind for second in
1:33:11, and six-time Paralympian Aaron Pike (USA) finished third in
1:33:13.
Abbott Chicago 5K
The sixth running of the Abbott Chicago 5K took place on Saturday, October
8. The Abbott Chicago 5K offers runners a unique opportunity to take over
the streets of downtown Chicago. Aidan Tooker (USA) broke the tape first in
a swift 14:48. Juan Luis Barrios (MEX) and Abdi Abdirahman (USA) finished
second and third, respectively, in a photo finish, clocking identical
times, 15:19. Hayley Jackson (USA) stole the show for the women, winning in
17:38. Lauren Hintz (USA) finished second in 18:08 and Alena Tonne (USA)
finished third in 18:29. More than 7,200 runners crossed the finish line on
Jackson Street.
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
runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural
tour of Chicago. For more information about the event and how to get
involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other
important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for
news email alerts.
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