A World Record and a Long-Awaited Win in Chicago
The 2026 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11, delivered a world record and a hard-earned first win, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner finished in 1 hour, 33 minutes and 16 seconds, setting a new world record.
Her time stood out because Chicago counts as a technical course for wheelchair racers, with plenty of turns and the odd pothole. Debrunner, who also won here in 2023 and 2024, crossed the line almost nine minutes ahead of Tatyana McFadden. She said world records need everything to be perfect, especially the weather, and that on this day it all came together. The win added to her victories earlier this year in Tokyo, London and Berlin.
In the men's race, Amos Kipruto finally reached the top step after finishing third in 2024 and second in 2025. He ran a personal best of 2:01:09 and beat runner-up Tadese Bikila by almost two minutes. Hawi Feysa defended her women's title with a personal best of 2:13:33. "It means everything to come here and win again," she said.
Marcel Hug kept his own streak going, taking his fifth straight men's wheelchair title in Chicago and his seventh overall. His course record of 1:21:34 beat the mark he set in 2023. Hug said it may have been one of the best performances of his career.
Patience, practice and great conditions added up to a race day Chicago will remember.
