Ruth Chepngetich marked her first appearance racing in the U.S. with a huge victory at the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Since the Kenyan sensation made her marathon debut in 2017, she has finished in the top three of every race she has completed and Chicago was no different. Taking an early lead in the race, Chepngetich beat out American competitors Emma Bates and Sara Hall and crossed the finish line well ahead of the rest of the elite women's field with an official time of 2:22:31.
Chicago marks just the latest in a series of wins for Chepngetich, who also won in Dubai, Istanbul (twice), and at the 2019 IAAF World Championships. But it also marks a big return after a disappointing performance in the Tokyo Olympics. While she went into the Olympics as the favorite for gold, she struggled during the race and dropped out around the 30K mark, her first DNF at the marathon distance.
Chepngetich holds a marathon personal best of 2:17:08, making her the fourth fastest woman in history. “I have never raced in the States and making my debut in such a great race like the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is more than a dream to me,” said Chepngetich. “I will give it my all, trying to run as fast as possible. The presence of such a wonderful elite field will boost me.”
Although she was unable to replicate the exploits of her fellow countrywoman, Brigid Kosgei, who broke the women's world record at the 2019 edition in 2:14:04, Chepng'etich was still able to exert some measure of revenge on Hall who defeated her at last year's London Marathon where the American came second.
In the men's race, 2018 Berlin Half Marathon champion Eric Kiptanui clocked 2:06:51 to finish third behind winner Seifu Tura (2:06:12) of Ethiopia and second-placed American Galen Rupp (2:06:35). Another Kenyan, Reuben Kipyego, finished a disappointing eighth in 2:14:24 as the country awaits its first win for men in this year's World Marathon Majors series, which also comprises Berlin, London, Boston, Tokyo and Boston.
The Chicago Marathon was returning after last year's cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic — the second time in its existence that it has been cancelled.