The streets of Chicago are gearing to once again play host to a thunderous parade of elite athleticism on October 13, as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has officially dropped its roster of supreme pavement pounders for 2024. Touted are some of the planet’s swiftest marathoners, with the women's field fronted by Sutume Kebede – whose blistering 2:15:55 in Tokyo earlier this year rockets her into the eighth place all-time fastest women marathoners, as reported by NBC Chicago.
Among the bright stars slated to toe the starting line, Kebede is intent on making a splash in the Windy City, especially on the heels of a less-than-satisfactory finish last time around. “I am extremely happy to come back to Chicago and run on a course that has proven to be very fast,” Kebede told Bank of America Newsroom.
Shadowing Kebede is Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya, possibly looking to reclaim the throne as a two-time past champion in Chicago. Also in the running are America's heavy hitters, Keira D’Amato and Betsy Saina, whose respective comebacks and aspirations will add to an already stacked race. “The past two years I’ve run my mouth in the lead vehicle for NBC. I’m excited to get back to running my legs,” D’Amato, the former American marathon record holder, as per Bank of America Newsroom.
Men’s elite contention isn't lagging either, with Amos Kipruto of Kenya looking to not only honor his fallen compatriot but also to "try to run a personal best," according to what he shared with NBC Chicago. Kipruto, whose accomplishments include podium finishes at other World Marathon Majors, will find himself pitted against Vincent Ngetich, another Kenyan dynamo seeking his debut major marathon win.
