Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo won the 2025 Chicago Marathon to claim his first marathon major. Jacob Kiplimo celebrates after winning the 2025 Chicago Marathon. At one point, Kiplimo was on course to break the world record of 2:00.35 held by Kelvin Kiptum, but his pace reduced significantly towards the end, settling for 2:02.23, a new personal best. Amos Kipruto came through in second place with a time of 2:03.54, while Alex Masai was third with 2:04.37. Kenyan star John Korir was the favourite heading into this race, having won last year’s edition and the Boston Marathon earlier this year.
How Jacob Kiplimo won 2025 Chicago Marathon The Kenyan led the lead group through the first 5K in a time of 13:58 with Kiplimo, Amos Kipruto and Philemon Kiplimo close by. The chase group was led by former half-marathon world record holder Geoffrey Kamworor, Daniel Ebenyo and Crybrian Kotut. At the hour mark, the pacemakers made way and Korir threatened to break away, but he was quickly reeled in by Kiplimo. They crossed the halfway mark with a time of 1:00:16, which put them at a pace of 2:00:31, a potential world record. The two ran side by side until the 30K mark when Kiplimo injected devastating pace into his kick. Korir failed to respond, allowing the Ugandan to stroll away and make it a solo race. Jacob Kiplimo poses with the Chicago Marathon trophy.
Jacob Kiplimo threatens Kelvin Kiptum’s world record Relentless, Kiplimo crossed the 32K in a time of 1:13:41, which put him at a projected finishing time of 2:00:13. Korir appeared to drop out of the race, with Kipruto moving into second place and Kiplimo (Philemon) behind him. READ ALSO Gad Mathews: Gor Mahia goalkeeper airlifted to Nairobi after sudden illness Upfront, Kiplimo’s pace reduced as he crossed the 37K mark with a time of 1:45:55, which lowered his projected finish to 2:00.47. He eventually crossed the finishing line with a time of 2:02.23, which is now the seventh-fastest time in history. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa won with a time of 2:14.56, with her compatriot Megertu Alemu taking second place in 2:17.18. Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri was third with a time of 2:18:03.
By Martin Moses
