Reviewed by Michael AinomugishaUganda sports betting writer
Published 4 October 2026
Jacob Kiplimo returns to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday 11 October as the defending men’s champion. The professional field he meets there was revised in September, with Alex Masai of Kenya out and Bashir Abdi of Belgium in.
The 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon is run on Sunday 11 October 2026. Kiplimo won the 2025 race in 2:02:23, and the personal best he carries into Chicago is 2:00:28, set at the 2026 London Marathon.
Who Kiplimo runs against
Amos Kipruto of Kenya is on the entry list at 2:01:39. Also entered are Milkesa Mengesha of Ethiopia at 2:03:17, Tadese Takele Bikila of Ethiopia at 2:03:23, Daniel Mateiko of Kenya at 2:03:44 and Asrar Hiyrden of Ethiopia at 2:03:59, with Charles Hicks of the United States at 2:04:35, Suguru Osako of Japan at 2:04:55 and Mohamed Reda El Aaraby of Morocco at 2:05:18.
The field changed in September
Alex Masai of Kenya has withdrawn from the 2026 event. Bashir Abdi of Belgium, Sondre Moen of Norway and Matt Richtman of the United States were added to the men’s field on 22 September. The defence itself has been running since Kiplimo turned toward Chicago after his London run, and the rest of the Ugandan season runs through our Uganda sports news coverage.
The women’s race
Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia defends the women’s title. Brigid Kosgei of Kenya is on the women’s entry list, with Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia at 2:15:55, Megertu Alemu of Ethiopia at 2:16:34, Brillian Kipkoech of Kenya at 2:17:05 and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya at 2:17:22.
