Kenya’s marathoners will try to take back the Chicago titles on Sunday, October 11, with Amos Kipruto, Brigid Kosgei and Sharon Lokedi leading the Kenyan challenge. The race starts at 7 a.m. local time, which is 12:00 GMT or 3 p.m. in Nairobi.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa won last year and return as defending champions in the 2026 Chicago Marathon, according to the final elite fields published on October 3. As of October 6, 2026, here is who Kenya has on the line and when to watch.
Who are the Kenyans in the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
The men’s field has 48 athletes and the women’s field 30. The leading Kenyans, with personal bests where the organisers’ field list gives them, are:
- Amos Kipruto – 2:01:39 personal best; runner-up in Chicago in 2025 and the top-ranked Kenyan man in the field.
- Brigid Kosgei – 2:14:04 personal best; won in Chicago in 2018 and 2019.
- Sharon Lokedi – 2:17:22 personal best; the reigning Boston Marathon champion.
- Alex Masai – third in Chicago in 2025.
- Daniel Mateiko – fourth at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon.
- Loice Chemnung and Mary Ngugi – fourth and fifth in Chicago in 2025.
Who are the Kenyans up against?
Kiplimo, whose 2:00:28 is the third-fastest marathon time in history, is the man to beat. Kipruto’s 2:01:39 is the next fastest in the men’s field, ahead of Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha (2:03:17) and American Charles Hicks (2:04:35).
In the women’s race Feysa has a 2:14:57 best, close to Kosgei’s 2:14:04, and Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede (2:15:55) is also entered. Lokedi is the reigning Boston champion.
What time does the Chicago Marathon start in Kenya?
The professional men’s and women’s races start at 7 a.m. Central Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern). That converts to 12:00 GMT, or 3 p.m. East Africa Time.
In the United States the race airs on NBC5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago, with streaming on Peacock’s NBC Chicago channel and nbcchicago.com. Kenyan broadcast details had not been announced in the sources reviewed; check local sports channel listings closer to race day.
Why does this race matter for Kenya?
Kenyan runners have long been among the strongest in Chicago, and the Kenya Marathon Dinner held in the city ahead of the race, now in its 28th edition, welcomed this year’s elite runners. Capital FM reported that the Kenyan group is aiming to reclaim titles from Kiplimo and Feysa.
The course has produced either a world or an American record in four straight years, including Conner Mantz’s American men’s record in 2025, so a fast day is on the cards. For earlier Chicago results, see our report on the 2024 Chicago Marathon. Kenya’s earlier major-marathon success is covered in Kenya Shines at Boston Marathon, and the country’s athletics profile is also on the rise after Nairobi won the 2029 World Athletics Championships bid.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
Sunday, October 11, 2026. The elite races begin at 7 a.m. local time, 3 p.m. in Nairobi.
Who won the 2025 Chicago Marathon?
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo won the men’s race and Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa won the women’s race. Both are back to defend.
Which Kenyan is fastest in the 2026 field?
Among the men, Amos Kipruto with a 2:01:39 personal best. Among Kenyan women, Brigid Kosgei with 2:14:04.
How can I follow the race live?
Live tracking and race information are available on the official Chicago Marathon website.
By the 254.ke Newsroom.
Sources: Watch Athletics (final elite fields, October 3, 2026), Capital FM (September 24, 2026), NBC Sports (2026 race guide).
