Kiplimo confident of defending Chicago Marathon title tomorrow

What the report says

Ugandan distance runner Jacob Kiplimo says he is in strong shape and believes he is ready to defend his Chicago Marathon title on Oct. 11, according to The Independent Uganda, citing comments he made to Xinhua before traveling to the United States. Kiplimo said his preparation has boosted his confidence and that familiarity with the course should help as he bids to repeat last year’s victory.

The report says Kiplimo won the 2025 Chicago Marathon in 2:02:23, finishing ahead of Kenya’s Amos Kipruto. He is listed as Uganda’s only entrant in this year’s race and is expected to face competition from athletes including Kipruto, Daniel Mateiko, Milkesa Mengesha, Tadese Takele, Asrar Hiyrden and American Charles Hicks.

Uganda Athletics president Dominic Otuchet also expressed confidence that Kiplimo can retain the title, saying the runner has improved steadily and is in good form. The article adds that Kiplimo arrives with a strong recent record, including a personal best in the London Marathon, a third straight senior men’s world cross-country title, and a half-marathon world record set in Lisbon earlier this year.

More broadly, Kiplimo has been one of Uganda’s leading long-distance runners in recent years, with major medals on the track and at global championships. His Chicago outing matters as both a title defense and another test of his status among the world’s top road racers.