Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich Wins 2021 Chicago Marathon

Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepngetich on Sunday made a triumphant US debut by winning the women's title at the 43rd edition of the Chicago Marathon.

The 27-year-old reigning world champion crossed the finish line in 2 hours 22 minutes 31 seconds to defeat runner-up Emma Bates of American by 1:49.

“This is my first time in the United States, and I have to say I’m so excited and I’m happy for the win today,” Chepngetich said after winning the race.

“The race was good, it was nice, but it was tough. To push alone is not easy.”

29-year-old Bates finished second in 2:24:20, a personal best, ahead of her compatriots Sara Hall (2:27:19), and 36-year-old Keira D’Amato (2:28:22).

Chepngetich came to the US eager for a victory after dropping out of the Olympic Marathon in August due to an injury.

The former half-marathon world record holder has made the podium of every race she has finished since her debut in 2017.

She won the world title during the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, clocking 2:32.43.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Shifera Tamru finished first in 2:06:12 followed by Galen Rupp of USA (2:06:35) and Kenya’s Eric Kiptanui (2:06:51).