Kipchoge finished in 2 hours 04min 11sec, 17 seconds ahead of compatriot Sammy Kitwara with fellow Kenyan Dickson Chumba third.

The 29-year-old, winner of Olympic 5,000 metre silver and bronze medals from Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004 respectively, duelled with his two compatriots at the front as the trio broke away from the main pack after 20 miles.

Kipchoge and Kitwara began pulling away from Chumba at the 24-mile mark as they cranked through the gears.

Kipchoge finished 17 seconds clear of the field in Chicago ©Getty Images




Ethiopia's big name in the race, 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder Kenenisa Bekele's challenge fell away after 20 miles and he eventually finished fourth.

Up front, Kipchoge, who also has a 5,000m World Championship title to his name from 2003, made his decisive move with one mile to go and he powered to the line to take the win.

"I enjoyed the race from start to finish," said Kipchoge, who only made his marathon debut last year.

"I can say today that I am now fully experienced.

"It was like a championship."

Kenya's Rita Jeptoo claimed her second successive win at the Chicago Marathon today ©Getty Images




Meanwhile, Jeptoo once again showed that she enjoys the streets of Chicago as she cruised home over a minute clear of the rest of the field to claim her second major marathon title of the year following victory in Boston back in April.

The 33-year-old stepped on the gas after 23 miles to pull away from Ethiopian Mare Dibaba who finished second and compatriot Florence Kiplagat who was third.

Jeptoo crossed the line in a time of 2:24:35 to join Kipchoge in picking up the $100,000 (£62,000/€79,000) winner's cheque .

She also earned an extra $500,000 (£306,000/€390,000) for clinching the women's World Marathon Series title with her two wins in Boston and today in Chicago.

The men's title is still up for grabs and will be decided at the final World Marathon Series event in New York City on November 2.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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