Wanjiru, Shobukhova win Chicago Marathon
Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and Liliya Shobukhova of Russia repeated as Chicago Marathon champions on a warm Sunday morning.
Wanjiru beat Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia with a late sprint to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 24 seconds and capture the $75,000 prize.
The win all but assured him of the World Marathon Majors series championship and the $500,000 that goes with it — something Shobukhova locked up after a personal-best 2:20:25.
"Today was a big day," Wanjiru said. "It was for the leader points."
Knee and back problems limited Wanjiru this year, and a stomach ailment a few weeks ago almost knocked him out of the Chicago Marathon. He missed a week's training but ran, anyway.
Wanjiru came in tied with Kebede in the points standings, and the two ran neck-and-neck until they approached the finish at Grant Park. The 23-year-old Wanjiru was all alone in the final stretch and became the youngest runner to win four major marathons, with a first-place finish at London in 2009 and the 2008 Olympics to go with his wins in Chicago.
Kebede clocked in at 2:06:43 with countryman Feyisa Lilesa third at 2:08:10. Kenya's Wesley Korir (2:08:44) was fourth and Vincent Kipruto of Ethiopia finished fifth at 2:09:08.
On the women's side, Shobukhova grabbed the lead in the 21st mile after trailing by 24 seconds and ran away with her third major marathon championship and second this year to go with her win at London in April. That left her $615,000 richer, including a $40,000 bonus for finishing under 2:21.
Shobukhova will use the money to build a hotel with her husband in her hometown. As for the race, she said, "I was controlling" it and never felt like it was getting away from her.
Astede Baysa of Ethiopia, the pacesetter for much of the morning, finished second at 2:23:40. Russia's Maria Konovalova (2:23:50), American Desiree Davila (2:26:20) and Germany's Irina Mikitenko (2:26:40) rounded out the top five.
Former Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson clocked in at 2:47:50. At 53, she ran this one in part to commerorate the 25th anniversary of one of her most memorable races, when she set an American record of 2:21:21 that lasted until 2003.
There were 45,000 runners registered, and 38,132 made the start on a sunny day that seemed more fit for hanging out at the beach than running 26.2 miles.
It was 67 degrees at the start of the race and organizers were anticipating good conditions even though temperatures were expected to reach about 82 in the afternoon.
By then, the top runners were off the course and others were in the latter stages. It was also less humid than in 2007, when the temperatures raced to an event-record 89 and a 35-year-old Michigan man with a heart disorder died.
Organizers made several changes after that, increasing the number of water distribution points from 15 to 20 and medical aid stations from 18 to 21. They also improved communications systems between various agencies and the runners.
One thing they couldn't do was ask for a more thrilling finish than the men provided.
While Lilesa dropped off with about two miles to go, Wanjiru and Kebede were just getting started. Wanjiru seemed to throw off Kebede a little in the 25th mile when he moved to the inside, near a curb and out of his vision.
Kebede looked back several times but couldn't see him.
Then, Wanjiru momentarily grabbed the lead in the 26th mile with a quick burst that Kebede answered, and the sprint was on. They traded leads again. Then, Wanjiru finally pulled ahead for good as they headed into the stretch to capture the race and all but assure himself of the points title.
"The last kick, that is what won it," Wanjiru said.
Kebede would have to enter next month's New York City Marathon and win it in order to claim the series championship, assuming Wanjiru doesn't compete.
Kebede said he's tired and not thinking about that. But he left open the possibility, saying, "If I can, I will run."