Kenya's Amos Kipruto claimed the top spot at the Chicago Marathon by finishing the race in 2 hours, 1 minute, and 9 seconds.

Kipruto, who also won the 2017 Seoul International Marathon, was the first to cross the finish line at the major marathon held in Illinois, USA, on October 11, local time.

His time fell 34 seconds short of the course record of 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 35 seconds, set by Kelvin Kiptum.

The Chicago Marathon drew significant attention as to whether the world record of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds—set by Sabastian Sawe of Kenya at the London Marathon last April—would be broken.

This anticipation grew because the Chicago course is considered relatively flatter than London's, and world-class runners were expected to engage in a fierce competition, including defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, who finished third at the London event with a time of 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 28 seconds.

True to expectations, Kiplimo and Kipruto engaged in a fierce battle for the lead well into the middle and latter stages of the race.

After passing the half-marathon mark in 1 hour, 0 minutes, and 21 seconds, both athletes posted an identical time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 28 seconds at the 30-kilometer mark, raising hopes.

Their split time up to 30 kilometers was 35 seconds faster than the leading group's record at the London Marathon, where the world record was set.

Shortly after, at the 33-kilometer mark, Kipruto picked up the pace, leaving Kiplimo behind and beginning a solo run.

However, unlike the London event where Sawe, Yomif Kejelcha, and Kiplimo battled until the very end, running alone caused his pace to drop relatively. Although Kipruto pushed hard through a powerful finish, he fell short of the world record.

Ethiopia's Tadese Bikila finished second with a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 56 seconds, followed by Milkesa Mengesha in third with 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 46 seconds.

Kiplimo, who had engaged in a two-way battle with Kipruto up to the 30-kilometer mark, placed fourth with a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 18 seconds.

(Photo: Getty Images)