Chicago Marathon 2025: Geoffrey Kamworor Set to Chase Glory as John Korir, Jacob Kiplimo Loom

Three-time world Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor is stepping into new territory this month, hoping to revive the memories of his past glory as he takes on the Chicago Marathon on October 12. 

Despite his glittering credentials on the roads and cross-country, the Kenyan star arrives in the Windy City with just two Abbott World Marathon Majors titles to his name — both won in New York.

At 32, Kamworor remains a respected figure in long-distance running, but his record at the marathon majors has been a story of near-misses as much as triumphs. 

His most iconic victories came in New York, where in 2017 he held off compatriot Wilson Kipsang and Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa, before returning two years later to repeat the feat in commanding style. Since then, the podium has eluded him at the biggest stage, leaving Chicago a vital chance to rewrite the narrative.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Kamworor himself admits the hunger remains as fierce as ever.

“I still have big dreams of winning a major marathon,” he declared.

The Chicago race will be uncharted waters for Kamworor, but it carries added weight because of the historic mark set there in 2023. 

It was on the same streets that his late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world, running 2:00:35 to break the world record. Kamworor, who owns a personal best of 2:04:23 from his runner-up finish at the 2023 London Marathon, will need to summon a similar surge to threaten the favorites.

He acknowledges that his New York triumphs remain pivotal to his journey.

“Winning New York, a World Major Marathon, played a big role in my career. Finishing on the podium as a winner and being awarded a medal was a very joyous moment,” he told NN Running. 

But Chicago’s course — unforgivingly fast and laden with depth in the field — is a different beast altogether.

If Kamworor is to secure a third major title, he must overcome a field stacked with talent. Defending champion John Korir, who blasted a 2:02:44 victory last year, stands as the man to beat. Add in Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, Belgium’s Olympic bronze medallist Bashir Abdi, and American hope Galen Rupp, and the Kenyan faces a daunting challenge.

Even with his strong build-up in 2025 — including a Rotterdam Marathon victory in 2:04:33 and a recent win at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon — questions remain about his ability to transition those performances to major stage dominance. Kamworor’s history suggests he thrives on tactical battles, but Chicago often rewards sheer speed, a factor that could tilt the scales against him.

His track record across majors underlines the pattern. Third-place finishes in Berlin in 2012 and 2013, second in New York in 2015, another third in 2018, and a second in London in 2023 highlight consistency but also underline how elusive the winner’s medal has been outside New York.