Two-time Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich went into this year’s edition of the marathon with the hope of achieving a hattrick but was stunned by Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan.
Hassan, competing in just but her second marathon, managed to set a new course record time of 2:13:44, which also doubled up as the second fastest time in history.
Chepng’etich was forced to settle for second place behind the double Olympic champion. She clocked 2:15:37 to cross the finish line second as Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu completed the podium.
Chepng’etich and Hassan were together for the better part of the race and they took turns leading in the race but Hassan charged up after the 30km mark and she did not look back.
Despite finishing second at the event, the reigning Nagoya Women’s Marathon champion will still have a reason to rejoice since she will receive a handsome amount of money for her exploits.
On her part, Chepng’etich will bag Ksh Ksh 7,435,000 for her second place and an additional Ksh 5,946,000 for running sub 2:20:00. Third-place finisher Alemu will walk away with Ksh 3,717,500 and an additional and Ksh 5,946,000.
