Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich produced a stellar performance on Sunday, October 9 to retain her 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon title.
The Kenya Prisons athlete ran the bigger part of the race alone to cross the finishing line in 2:14.18, narrowly missing the world record of 2:14.04 set by compatriot Brigid Kosgei in 2019.
However, very few people are aware of the amount of money the 28-year-old will pocket for her incredible feat on the streets of Chicago.
Also Read: Brilliant Kipruto Bags Chicago Marathon Title
According to the marathon organizers, the Kenyan runner will earn $75,000 (approximately Ksh 9,000,000) for winning the race.
Former Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto will also receive the same amount of money for winning the men’s category.
However, their earnings are expected to significantly reduce after it has been subjected to an average tax of 30% by the American Internal Revenue Services (IRS).
Chepngetich could have got extra bonuses if she could have set a new course record, but that was not possible since Kosgei set the current world record at the same event.
Her payments dipped this year because she earned $100,000 (approximately Ksh12,000,000) in the 2021 edition when she destroyed a star-studded field to win the race in her maiden debut.
Chepngetich who broke into the limelight in 2019 after winning a gold medal for Kenya at the World Athletics Championships staged in Doha, Qatar also pocketed $250,000 (approximately Ksh 28,500,000) after bagging the Nagoya Women’s Marathon title on March 13 this year.
At the Nagoya event, Chepngetich set a new course record when she reached the tape in 2:17.18 ahead of Israel’s Lornah Salpeter and home girl Yuka Ando.
The Japan-based Marathon is one of the highest paying road races in the world despite not being part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series.
The Abbott World Marathon Major series consists of six marathons that include the Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, New York Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Berlin Marathon, and London Marathon.
Also Read: Kenya’s Bornes Jepkirui Wins 2022 Lisbon Marathon as Ethiopian Men Dominate