Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finished fourth at the 2026 Chicago Marathon after a reported hamstring injury disrupted his title defence.
The Ugandan clocked 2:04:18 on Sunday, October 11, as Kenya’s Amos Kipruto claimed the men’s title in 2:01:09.
Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, with compatriot Milkesa Mengesha completing the podium in 2:03:46.
Kiplimo had been firmly involved in the battle for victory before encountering difficulties shortly after the 30-kilometre mark.
Kiplimo reportedly pulled his hamstring but continued to the finish. The injury’s severity remains unconfirmed, although his official checkpoint times show a significant slowdown over the closing kilometres.
Strong opening
Kiplimo’s official splits reveal a remarkably consistent opening, followed by an acceleration as the contest for the title intensified.
He covered the opening 5 kilometres in 14:19, then recorded 14:18 for each of the next 3 sections.
That sequence took him through 10 kilometres in 28:37, 15 kilometres in 42:55 and 20 kilometres in 57:13.
He passed the halfway mark in 1:00:21 before reaching 25 kilometres in 1:11:19, having increased his pace during that section.
His 14:06 between 20 and 25 kilometres was his fastest complete 5-kilometre segment, underlining his ambition to retain the crown.
The acceleration helped break up the leading group, with Kipruto staying alongside him as their rivals lost ground.
Kiplimo covered the next 5 kilometres in 14:09, reaching 30 kilometres in 1:25:28 and remaining on a formidable pace.
At that checkpoint, his average speed projected a finish around 2:00:12, provided he maintained it over the remaining distance.
Difficult closing kilometres
The race changed beyond 30 kilometres, where the reported hamstring problem coincided with a deterioration in Kiplimo’s pace.
He reached 35 kilometres in 1:40:10, covering the preceding section in 14:42, some 33 seconds slower than his previous segment.
By that stage, Kipruto had established a 12-second advantage and was beginning to take control of the race.
Kiplimo’s biggest slowdown followed between 35 and 40 kilometres, a section he completed in 16:32.
His average pace for that stretch dropped to approximately 3 minutes, 18 seconds per kilometre, compared with 2:50 between 25 and 30 kilometres.
He passed 40 kilometres in 1:56:42 before covering the remaining 2.195 kilometres in 7:36 to secure fourth place.
His second half took 1:03:57, making it 3 minutes, 36 seconds slower than his opening half.
He ultimately finished 32 seconds behind Mengesha and 3 minutes, 9 seconds behind Kipruto, ending his bid for consecutive Chicago titles.
Kipruto completes Chicago rise
For Kipruto, victory completed a steady climb through Chicago’s podium positions after finishing third in 2024 and second in 2025.
His winning time improved his personal best by 30 seconds and moved him to equal fifth on the world all-time list.
The Kenyan now shares that position with marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, according to World Athletics.
The result reversed last year’s outcome, when Kiplimo won in 2:02:23 and Kipruto followed in 2:03:54.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa successfully defended her title in 2:13:33, ahead of Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi.
Lokedi finished in 2:14:07, while fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei secured third place in 2:14:55.
For Kiplimo, the immediate concern is establishing the extent of the reported injury after completing a demanding final stretch in Chicago.