Ruto Praises Team Kenya After Three Podium Finishes at Chicago Marathon

President William Ruto has congratulated Amos Kipruto, Sharon Lokedi and Brigid Kosgei after their performances at the 2026 Chicago Marathon, where Kipruto won the men’s race while Lokedi and Kosgei finished second and third in the women’s event.

Kipruto secured victory in the men’s marathon in a personal best of 2:01:09, completing his third consecutive appearance at the Chicago race with a title. The 34-year-old had finished third in 2024 and second in 2025.

Ruto praised the three athletes for their achievements, commending their contribution to Kenya’s reputation in international athletics. His message followed a race in which Kenyan runners secured three podium finishes across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Kipruto made his decisive move about 10 kilometres from the finish, breaking away from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda. His winning time improved his previous personal best by 29 seconds.

The 2022 London Marathon champion said after the race: “It was either win or die for me.”

Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila finished second in 2:02:56, followed by compatriot Milkesa Mengesha in 2:03:46. Kiplimo, who entered the competition with a personal best of 2:00:28, finished fourth in 2:04:18 after failing to retain his title.

In the women’s race, Lokedi finished second in 2:14:07 behind Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa, who defended her title in 2:13:33. Lokedi improved her personal best by more than three minutes, lowering the 2:17:22 she recorded when she won the Boston Marathon last year. 

Her performance placed her among the leading competitors in a race that saw Feysa secure consecutive victories in Chicago. Kosgei finished third in 2:14:55 after losing contact with the leading group before the 30-kilometre mark. Kenya’s Mary Ngugi Cooper came fourth in 2:17:23, while Joan Kilimo finished fifth in 2:18:38.

The results gave Kenya three athletes in the women’s top five, with Lokedi and Kosgei joining Kipruto in securing podium finishes at one of the world’s major marathon events. Kipruto’s victory marked the culmination of his successive attempts to win in Chicago, while Lokedi’s improved time added to her achievements in international marathon running. 

Kosgei’s third-place finish further strengthened Kenya’s representation among the leading competitors in the women’s race.