Geoffrey Kamworor, John Korir, & Jacob Kiplimo Set For Chicago Marathon

Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor is preparing for another shot at marathon history as he lines up for the Chicago Marathon on October 12, where he will contend with fellow stars John Korir and Jacob Kiplimo in pursuit of a third career major.

A three-time world Half Marathon champion, Kamworor is no stranger to success on the road and in cross-country. However, in the marathon majors, his résumé shows flashes of brilliance mixed with missed opportunities. The 32-year-old has only two Abbott World Marathon Majors victories, both in New York, leaving Chicago as a crucial chance to add to his legacy.

A Champion Seeking More

Kamworor’s crowning moments came in New York, where he delivered two unforgettable performances. In 2017, he edged out compatriot Wilson Kipsang and Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa, before returning in 2019 to claim another commanding win. Since then, podium finishes have slipped from his grasp on the grandest stages.

Still, the hunger is unmistakable.
“I still have big dreams of winning a major marathon,” he recently said, underlining his determination to stay at the sport’s top level.

New Ground, Familiar Inspiration

Chicago represents new terrain for Kamworor, yet it also carries symbolic weight. Just two years ago, his late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world by setting a breathtaking world record of 2:00:35 on the city’s flat, fast course. That historic run lingers as a source of motivation.

Kamworor arrived with a personal best of 2:04:23, clocked at the 2023 London Marathon, where he finished runner-up. To challenge Chicago’s elite, he will likely need a similar surge in performance.

Reflecting on his career, Kamworor acknowledges that New York was foundational.
“Winning New York, a World Major Marathon, played a big role in my career. Standing on the podium and receiving the medal was a very joyous moment,” he shared with NN Running.

But Chicago presents a different test altogether, a course that favors relentless speed and a field packed with depth.

Rivals Await

The road to victory will not be easy. Defending champion John Korir returns after his blistering 2:02:44 triumph last year, making him the man to beat. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, Belgium’s Olympic bronze medalist Bashir Abdi, and American veteran Galen Rupp round out a formidable lineup.

Kamworor has enjoyed an impressive 2025 season so far, highlighted by his 2:04:33 win at the Rotterdam Marathon and a victory at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon. Yet questions remain about whether he can convert those results into dominance at the major level. Chicago, unlike New York, often rewards raw speed over tactical finesse, a factor that could shape his chances.

The Marathon Puzzle

Kamworor’s career across the majors reflects both consistency and frustration. He placed third in Berlin in 2012 and 2013, finished second in New York in 2015, returned for another third in 2018, and more recently took second in London in 2023. These results underline his resilience but also the difficulty of clinching victories outside New York.

As the countdown to October 12 begins, Kamworor stands at a crossroads, a proven champion aiming to recapture the spotlight while battling a new wave of challengers. Chicago offers him not only a fresh stage but also the chance to remind the world why his name remains etched among the sport’s greats.