2025 Chicago Marathon: Jacob Kiplimo closes in on the world record
© Bank of America Chicago MarathonThe Chicago Marathon delivered another spectacular show. In ideal conditions and an electric atmosphere, the 2025 edition produced outstanding performances: Jacob Kiplimo won the men’s race in 2:02:23, while Hawi Feysa dominated the women’s field in 2:14:57. Running just his second marathon, the Ugandan became the seventh-fastest marathoner in history. Once again, the Chicago Marathon confirmed its status as a race where records are made.
A blistering start on 1:59 pace
The tone was set from the gun, with a slight tailwind helping the field along. Led by Jacob Kiplimo, John Korir, Amos Kipruto and Alex Masai, the lead men’s pack surged through 5K in 13:58 and 10K in 28:25, well inside world-record pace. Behind them, the chase group, featuring Conner Mantz and Geoffrey Kamworor, was still holding solid 2:03–2:04 pace. Perfect conditions, with temperatures around 13°C and little wind, combined with the exceptional depth of the field to give the athletes wings. They were willing to take major risks on this exceptionally fast course, which features just 74 m of elevation gain.
The lead pack reached halfway in 1:00:16, projecting to a 2:00:32 finish and still faster than the world record. Up front, the pacemakers dropped away, unable to maintain the pace. From that turning point, the race began to take shape: Korir, who had looked strong at the front until then, started to show signs of fatigue. Kiplimo, by contrast, was smiling broadly and moving with remarkable ease. Shortly after 80 minutes, the half-marathon world-record holder, who ran 56:42 in Barcelona in February, took matters into his own hands and hit the accelerator. The decisive move left John Korir unable to respond. From 30K onward, Kiplimo was alone and charging toward victory, passing that mark in 1:25:31, the fastest split ever recorded over the distance.
Jacob Kiplimo is unstoppable, but the world record will have to wait
Out front, Kiplimo looked untouchable, his stride opening up with every kilometre. Running just his second marathon, the 24-year-old Ugandan initially made it look effortless. Then, as so often happens over the marathon distance, the race began to take its toll. His legs grew heavy and the smile gave way to pain. Despite slowing late on, he won in 2:02:23, a personal best and the seventh-fastest performance in history. Behind him, Amos Kipruto took second in 2:03:54, while Alex Masai completed the podium in 2:04:37, also setting a personal best.
The other outstanding performance of the day came from Conner Mantz. The American crossed the finish line in fourth, clocking 2:04:43. In the process, he broke the 23-year-old national record of 2:05:38, set by Khalid Khannouchi in 2002. The result confirms the growing strength of North American marathon running on the world stage.
Hawi Feysa in a league of her own
The women’s race offered less suspense, but the spectacle was still first-class. Ethiopian Hawi Feysa, third at the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year, moved to the front in the opening kilometres alongside Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri. The pair reached halfway in 1:07:30 before Feysa broke clear just before 30K. Strong, consistent and completely in control, she won in 2:14:57, the fifth-fastest time ever and a stunning sub-2:15 performance. A masterclass. Megertu Alemu took second in 2:17:18, while Shauri completed the podium in 2:18:03, setting a Tanzanian national record. The depth of the women’s field was exceptional, with five athletes breaking 2:20.
France’s Mélody Julien also put in a strong performance. She took a risk by joining a fast group targeting 2:21, with the French record in her sights. After a solid 1:10:44 halfway split, she began to fade after 30K. The French national-team athlete crossed the line in 2:27:08. The time was well outside her personal best, but she can take consolation from a prestigious tenth place at a World Major.
2025 Chicago Marathon results
Top 10 – Women
1. Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:14:56
2. Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:17:18
3. Magdalena Shauri (TAN) 2:18:03
4. Loice Chemnung (KEN) 2:18:23
5. Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:19:25
6. Natosha Rogers (USA) 2:23:28
7. Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:21
8. Florencia Borelli (ARG) 2:24:23
9. Gabriella Rooker (USA) 2:26:32
10. Mélody Julien (FRA) 2:27:08
Top 10 – Men
1. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:02:23
2. Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:54
3. Alex Masai (KEN) 2:04:37
4. Conner Mantz (USA) 2:04:43
5. Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:50
6. Seifu Tura (ETH) 2:05:17
7. Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 2:05:31
8. Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:06:14
9. Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:06:49
10. Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:07:08
Once again, the Chicago Marathon lived up to its billing: a fast course, flawless organisation and a feverish crowd. After Kelvin Kiptum’s world record in 2023, the city once again roared to the rhythm of world-class performances. The athletes took major risks and the world record came within touching distance, but the marathon had other ideas this time. Even so, Jacob Kiplimo confirmed that he is the face of the marathon’s future, as well as its present. Hawi Feysa, meanwhile, showed that she now belongs among the very best, joining the exclusive club of women who have broken 2:15. Chicago will always be Chicago, a prestigious Major that produces extraordinary performances year after year. The date is already set for next year: the 48th edition will take place on October 11, 2026…