Jeptoo, Kipchoge Run Away to Big Victories

By Scott Bush

Sunday’s Chicago Marathon was a wonderful showcase of talent, as always. The men’s race got off to a hot pace early, slowing midway, but offered an exciting finish. The women’s race was a bit more conservative early on, which played right into the hands of Rita Jeptoo, as she powered away over the final miles to prove she’s the best marathon runner in the world.

With so much drama, so many terrific results and a few surprises, here are a few things we learned:

World & Course Records Are Hard

While Paula Radcliffe’s course record of 2:17:18 and world record of 2:15:25 simply haven’t been challenged since she set them over a decade ago, the men’s race offered plenty of pre-race discussion around whether the talented field would not only take a shot at Dennis Kimetto’s course record of 2:03:45 but a shot at Kimetto’s fresh 2:02:57 world record.

Early on, after a blazing 4:34 first mile, it appeared the field might at least go after the course record, but after the first 15k, it was clear that would be a tall order, as the pace started to lag. The rabbits appeared to be encouraging the top contenders to speed up, but the quick change in pace never really transpired.

What we learned is breaking a record takes a special day, a special field and the tenacity of a frontrunner or two to really hammer the pace from the gun. There is no holding back when you want to break a record, especially with where the marathon times are going (sub-2:03)

Jeptoo Nabs Her Own Spot in History

Rita Jeptoo, once again, put on a show. She kept with the leaders until 10k to go, then it was game on and lights out, as she proved once again why she should be considered the best marathoner in the world. Her win in Chicago not only pushed her into elite company, becoming one of only eight women to ever win Chicago twice, but she also took home the World Marathon Majors title and a cool $600,000 (WMM + Chicago prize money).

Jeptoo won Boston and Chicago in 2013 and did so again this year. Her margin of victory over those four races averages out to 51 seconds. Her last three races she won by an average of 57 seconds. She’s on a streak we haven’t seen for over a decade and is showing no signs of slowing down.

As Jeptoo said afterward, “I am the queen of Chicago.” Agreed!

Chicago’s On the Rise

It should be noted, Kipchoge’s winning 2:04:11, Kitwara’s 2:04:28 and Chumba’s 2:04:32 rank the three as the 3-4-5 fastest runners in the event’s 37 year history. In addition, Chumba’s mark is the fastest third place finishing time ever

According to statistician K Ken Nakamura, Chicago now ranks #2 in the world in top 10 marathon finishing time averages on the men’s side, with a 2:04:40. This only trails Berlin’s 2:03:55.

What’s even more enticing is Chicago’s entire top 10 list is comprised of performances from 2011-2014, with the top nine coming from the last three years. Men’s marathoning is at a new level, a new era, with depth and plenty of young talent.