Coronation in Chicago
The 2023 edition of the Chicago Marathon was perhaps the most monumental to date. In near-perfect marathon running conditions, Sifan Hassan once again demonstrated her extraordinary range, while Kelvin Kiptum eclipsed the men’s world record to replace Eliud Kipchoge atop the marathon all-time list.
Elite Women
Two weeks ago, after Tigst Assefa lowered the marathon world record by more than two minutes, I concluded my summary of the event by writing “…we can expect a handful of women to go under Brigid Kosgei’s old mark of 2:14:04 in upcoming races.” Yesterday morning, Sifan Hassan did just that, clocking 2:13:44 to win her second marathon in as many starts and become the second-fastest woman in history.
Hassan’s biggest competition came in the form of defending champion, Ruth Chepngetich. The prospect of a duel between these two athletes was heavily discussed in the lead-up to the race, with their strict dichotomy making their clash all the more enthralling. Hassan’s phenomenal range makes her difficult to define: just six weeks ago the Dutchwoman completed an unprecedented treble at the World Athletics Championships on the track, where she medalled in events as short as the 1500m. Alternatively, Chepngetich is a more traditional road runner, having completed 10 marathons prior to this one and never finishing off the podium.
Ruth Chepngetich (L) and Sifan Hassan (M) lead the women’s field at the 2023 Chicago Marathon
(Photo credit: Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris)
The pair were at the fore from the outset and separated themselves from their competitors after just 10km. Chepngetich, perhaps relying on her marathon running experience, then decided to make her move a long way from home as she opened a six-second gap on Hassan through the halfway mark, which she crossed in 1:05:42 – the fastest ever halfway split for a marathon.
However, it did not take long for Hassan to produce a response. Rejoining Chepngetich at the 25km mark, the Dutchwoman used her track speed to build a 10-second lead over the next 5km which only grew as the race progressed.
Hassan eventually broke the tape in 2:13:44 to post the second-fastest time in history and claim the course record, while Chepngetich struggled to the line in second, almost two minutes adrift of her Dutch rival.
“I ran so great. I’m so happy,” exclaimed Hassan afterwards.
“I ran an amazing time. I never thought I’d run 2:13. It’s unbelievable.”
Sifan Hassan wins the 2023 Chicago Marathon
(Photo credit: Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris)
The Dutchwoman now turns her attention to next year’s Paris Olympics, where she will have the opportunity to represent her country over distances ranging from the 1500m to the marathon.
“Let me recover from this and I will decide what to do,” Hassan replied when asked what her plans are for Paris.
Elite Men
“I always say records are meant to be broken and I hope Kiptum does that in the near future.” – Eliud Kipchoge
Be careful what you wish for Kipchoge, because yesterday, Kelvin Kiptum did just that. After more than two decades in Berlin, the men’s marathon world record has been moved to Chicago, courtesy of the prodigious Kiptum. In just his third marathon, the 23-year-old Kenyan shaved 34 seconds off Kipchoge’s mark of 2:01:09 from Berlin last year to set a new world record of 2:00:35.
As was the case in the women’s race, it only took Kiptum 10km to rid himself of all but one competitor, with fellow Kenyan Daniel Mateiko joining him at the front. However, Kiptum never seemed worried by his compatriot’s presence, and it may very well be that Mateiko was acting as an unofficial pacemaker: a role that he assumed in London earlier this year. The pair passed the halfway mark in 1:00:48, almost a full minute slower than Kipchoge at the same point during his world record performance in Berlin last year. At 30km, Kiptum still had Mateiko for company and had made almost no improvement on his deficit to the world record.
However, just as Kipchoge fans had begun to relax, Kiptum unleashed his trademark finishing speed. Quickly disposing of Mateiko, who dropped out of the race soon thereafter, the Kenyan reduced the margin between himself and the ghost of Kipchoge from 51 seconds to just 12 by 35km. He continued his charge to the finish by running his final 5km more than 40 seconds faster than Kipchoge did in Berlin, going on to cross the line in 2:00:35. Kiptum’s final official 10km split was a remarkable 27:52: to put that into perspective for my Australian readers, only two Australian athletes have ever run faster for a standalone 10km.
Defending champion Benson Kipruto finished a distant second in 2:04:02, while Bashir Abdi, who seems to be making a habit of coming third, rounded out the podium.
Kelvin Kiptum celebrates after breaking the men’s marathon world record
(Photo credit: Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris)
Like Hassan, Kiptum will now focus his energy on preparing for the Paris Olympics.
“For the Olympics, If I get a chance to, and I am selected, I will be happy to represent my country of course,” he told journalists upon returning to Nairobi.
“It has always been my dream to represent Kenya, and I will be ready to do that at the Paris Olympics.”
If he is selected – and I can say with quite some certainty that he will be – then it may well spell disaster for Kipchoge, who has been very vocal about his intention to win an unprecedented third Olympic Marathon title.
“It will be exciting to meet Kipchoge, who has inspired many. I am ready to race against him,” assured Kiptum.
You can access the results of the 2023 Chicago Marathon here.