Chicago, IL — October 8, 2023 – On a day that will be etched in the annals of athletic history, Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum broke the men’s marathon world record, finishing the Chicago Marathon in an astounding 2 hours and 35 seconds on Sunday morning (8).
Not to be outdone, Dutch sensation Sifan Hassan, the London Marathon champion, clocked the second-fastest women’s marathon ever, crossing the finish line in 2:13:44 to win her category in just her second marathon ever.
Read more: 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Race Day Schedule; start list, live stream
A New Benchmark for Men’s Marathon
Kiptum’s performance on Sunday shattered the previous world record of 2:01:09 set by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
“I feel so happy,” said an elated Kiptum. “I wasn’t prepared. I knew I was coming for a course record but fortunately a world record.”
This marks Kiptum’s third consecutive victory over the marathon distance, having won his debut last December in Valencia and the London Marathon last April.
“A world record was not in my mind today. I knew one day, one time, I’d be a world-record holder,” Kiptum added.
The 23-year-old’s achievement also holds historical significance for the Chicago Marathon. It’s the third time a men’s world record has been set on the streets of Chicago, but the first since Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi in 1999.
The previous Chicago Marathon record of 2:03:45 was set by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in 2013.
Finishing second today in the men’s race is Kenya’s defending champion Benson Kipruto, who clocked in at 2:04:02 for a new personal best, while Belgium’s Olympic and World bronze medalist Bashir Abdi was third with 2:04:32.
Sifan Hassan’s Historic Run
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, track and field standout, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands also made headlines with another dominating performance in just her second appearance in the discipline. Her win here today came just six weeks after competing at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Hassan’s time of 2:13:44 is now the second-fastest women’s marathon in history. The Dutch star, who is also the reigning London Marathon champion, continues to show that she will be a dominant force on the road once she decides to close out her track career.
Her time smashed the course record.
Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya was second with 2:15:37, followed by Megertu Alemu of Ethiopia at 2:17:09, Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya at 2:17:23 and Tadu Teshome Nare of Ethiopia at 2:20:04.
The American across the finish line was US record holder Emily Sisson in seventh place with a time of 2:22:09.
A Day of Records and Milestones
Before crossing the finish line, Kiptum was seen waving and blowing kisses to the spectators, a moment of pure elation captured for posterity.
“I saw the time in front of me,” he said. “I felt good inside of me, maybe a little adrenaline.”
Kiptum also praised the course layout, stating, “Chicago is a flat course. I thought I’d go and try Chicago.”
