Jacob Kiplimo arrives in Chicago with momentum, fresh off a world half-marathon record and a career-best performance in London. The Ugandan runner, who clocked 2:02:23 in last year’s victory, faces a familiar group of rivals, including Kenyan contenders Amos Kipruto and Alex Masai. The men’s field is particularly dense, featuring six athletes who have eclipsed the 2:04 barrier, alongside American hopefuls Charles Hicks and Galen Rupp.

Hawi Feysa faces a similar challenge in the women’s division. Despite a dominant win last year, she will contend with the return of two-time Chicago champion Brigid Kosgei and the debut of Boston Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi. Wheelchair racing icon Marcel Hug also returns to defend his streak, aiming to maintain his dominance on the flat, fast Grant Park course against a field that includes American challenger Daniel Romanchuk and nine-time champion Tatyana McFadden.