Uganda’s long-distance star Jacob Kiplimo delivered a landmark performance in Chicago on Sunday, storming to victory at the 2025 Chicago Marathon and becoming the first Ugandan in history to win a World Marathon Major.
In just his second-ever marathon, Kiplimo stunned the world by clocking 2:02:23, a time that places him seventh on the all-time marathon list and firmly cements his place among the sport’s global elite.
The half-marathon world record holder maintained a calculated pace in the early stages before making a decisive move at the 30-kilometer mark, effortlessly breaking away from the leading pack. By the final five miles, he had built an unchallenged lead of nearly a minute. 
Kenyan duo Amos Kipruto and Alex Masai trailed behind, posting times of 2:03:54 and 2:04:37 to finish second and third, respectively.
Looking composed and tactical throughout the race, Kiplimo occasionally glanced over his shoulder in the final stretch but found no immediate threat. With the crowd roaring, he charged down the finishing straight and, overwhelmed by the moment, collapsed to the ground in exhaustion and triumph, sealing a golden moment for Ugandan athletics.
His victory in Chicago comes just months after an impressive marathon debut in London, where he finished second, signaling the rise of a new powerhouse in global long-distance running.