Kiplimo battles hamstring damage to complete fourth in Chicago as title defence falls brief

David GOMBE

Defending champion Jacob Kiplimo has defined his fourth-place end on the 2026 Financial institution of America Chicago Marathon, revealing a hamstring drawback derailed his title defence after 30 kilometres.

The Ugandan star clocked 2:04:18 on Sunday, October 11, as Kenya’s Amos Kipruto gained the boys’s race in a personal-best 2:01:09. 7216

Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila completed second in 2:02:56, with compatriot Milkesa Mengesha third in 2:03:46. 4b56

Kiplimo, who had gained the 2025 Chicago Marathon in 2:02:23, had been on the right track for a historic time earlier than the damage struck.

In an announcement after the race, Kiplimo mentioned:

“Not the day we had hoped for. However by no means a day to surrender. Till across the 30K mark, my physique was responding nicely and all the pieces was going in line with plan. Then I felt an issue with my hamstring, and the race all of a sudden grew to become a very totally different problem.

“ Ending fourth because the defending champion just isn’t the consequence I got here to Chicago for. However over the ultimate 12 kilometres, it grew to become a battle of willpower, pushing by means of the ache and discovering the power to make it to the end line.”

“These photos inform the story of these remaining kilometres. The ache, the battle, but additionally the willpower to by no means hand over.”

 

In keeping with race splits, Kiplimo was formidable early. He lined the opening 5km in 14:19 and reached midway in 1:00:21 earlier than accelerating to 25km in 1:11:19, his quickest 5km section being 14:06 between 20-25km. 4b56

He and Kipruto handed 30 kilometres collectively in 1:25:28, a tempo projecting a end round 2:00:12. 7216

Kipruto then pulled away, opening a 12-second lead by 35km earlier than extending his benefit as Kiplimo dropped again. 7216

Kipruto’s win was his second World Marathon Majors title after London 2022 and his third try in Chicago after ending third in 2024 and second in 2025.

Kiplimo’s try and change into the primary man to win back-to-back Chicago titles since Samuel Wanjiru in 2009-2010 ended. 6f65

Regardless of the setback, the Ugandan legendary athlete confirmed grit to remain within the race and safe fourth.

“This isn’t the top of the story. I’ll take a while to get well and luxuriate in treasured moments with my household earlier than getting again to work. We are going to come again stronger and be prepared for the following problem,” he mentioned.

“An enormous thanks to everybody who stands by me: my coaching group, administration, sponsors, and everybody who helps me each step of the best way. And to the folks of Chicago, thanks in your unbelievable assist all through all 42 kilometres. Your cheers meant a lot, particularly when issues bought powerful.”