Ready, Set, Chica-Go: Highlights from the Chicago Marathon

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     Bright and early on the morning of Sunday, October 8th, a crowd of some 48,000 runners gathers in Grant Park, Chicago. Among them are both elite and amateur athletes, representing all 50 states and over 100 countries. Yet they all share a common goal: to tackle the 45th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  

     One of six World Marathon Majors, the Chicago Marathon is considered to be one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. The 26.2-mile course weaves its way through 29 Chicago neighborhoods, amassing an estimated 1.7 million spectators along the way, according to Choose Chicago. 

     Marathon organizers report that this is the first year since 2019 that the marathon has had a full roster, according to CBS News. Not only were there a record-breaking number of participants this year but there was also a world-record-breaking performance from 23-year-old Kelvin Kiptum from Kenya.   

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     Only having completed 2 marathons prior to the Chicago Marathon, Kiptum is a rising star in the world of long-distance running. Not only did he win the race, but his spectacular time of just 2:00:35 set a new world record in the marathon, shattering Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record by a whopping 34 seconds.  

     "I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record — I am so happy," Kiptum said, reported by World Athletics. "A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder."

     NPR reports that Kiptum was neck-and-neck with Daniel Mateiko up until about 18.6 miles in when Kiptum began to break away. Mateiko dropped out of the race shortly after, making room on the podium for runners-up Benson Kipruto from Kenya and Bashira Abdi from Belgium. 

     Meanwhile, the women’s race produced several outstanding results of its own. Olympic track champion Sifran Hassan from the Netherlands dominated the race with a time of 2:13:44. She broke the previous course record of 2:14:04 set by Brigid Kosgei, and finished ahead of two-time Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich. 

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     "Just so grateful. I'm so happy," she said at the finish line, according to NBC Chicago. "But the last 5 kilometers I was telling myself never again."

     Finally, both wheelchair divisions also saw impressive times. Marcel Hug of Switzerland, the Paralympic champion nicknamed ‘The Silver Bullet’ for his incredible speed and trademark silver helmet, won his second race back-to-back with a time of 1:22:37. In the women’s wheelchair division, fellow Swiss Catherine Debrunner achieved a first place finish at 1:38:44. 

     The awe-inspiring results of the 2023 Chicago Marathon have once again left everyone astounded at what the human body is capable of accomplishing. With the New York City Marathon due to take place on November 5th, running enthusiasts across the world wait with bated breath to see where exactly the true limits of human potential lie.