Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finished fourth in Chicago in 2:04:18 after fading in the closing kilometres, ending his bid to defend the title he won in 2025.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finished fourth in the 2026 Chicago Marathon after a strong start gave way to a difficult closing stretch in Sunday’s race.
Kiplimo clocked 2:04:18 over the 42.195km course, falling short of his personal best of 2:00:28 set at the London Marathon in April this year. The result ended his attempt to defend the Chicago title he won in 2025.
The 25-year-old had looked well placed to challenge for victory, running at the front of the leading group through much of the race. He was still on a pace of about 2:00:35 at 21 miles, but faded over the final stretch to finish outside the podium places.
Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won the men’s race in a personal best of 2:01:09, pulling away from Kiplimo in the second half to secure the title. Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, while compatriot Milkesa Mengesha took third in 2:03:46.
Kipruto’s winning time placed him equal fifth on the men’s marathon all-time list alongside Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, according to World Athletics.
Despite missing the podium, Kiplimo remains one of Uganda’s leading distance runners, with major achievements across road racing, cross-country and track events.
In April, he ran 2:00:28 at the London Marathon, finishing third and setting a personal best that placed him among the fastest marathon runners in history.
His achievements also include three senior World Cross Country titles, an Olympic bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the Tokyo 2020 Games and a bronze medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. He also won the 5,000m and 10,000m double at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Kiplimo set a half-marathon world record of 57:20 in Lisbon in March 2026. However, Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha subsequently improved the mark to 56:51 in Buenos Aires in August.
The Chicago result was a rare setback for the Ugandan, who had consistently finished among the leading athletes in his road races. His immediate priority will be to assess his performance and prepare for his next competitive engagements.