KAMPALA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo has been tipped by his coach to defend his Bank of America Chicago Marathon title on Oct. 11.
Kiplimo's coach, Peter Chelangat, told Xinhua on Wednesday that the runner has been preparing well and should be in top form for the race.
"Kiplimo continues to train well and I believe he has what it takes to defend the title," added the coach.
Chelangat said one of the reasons Kiplimo was not included in Uganda's team for the World Athletics Road Running Championships several weeks ago was to allow him to focus on preparations for the Chicago Marathon.
"What we need is for Kiplimo to defend his title. We know he can, and we will be excited if he defends it because it will be a major achievement for the runner and Uganda," said the coach.
Kiplimo won last year's Chicago Marathon in 2:02:23, but Chelangat believes the Ugandan has the potential to win again and post an even faster time.
"It will not be an easy race, but Kiplimo is looking good and ready to compete well," added the coach.
Kiplimo began his 2026 season by winning his third straight World Athletics Half Marathon title at the World Cross Country Championships, setting a course record of 57:20. He later finished third at the 2026 London Marathon in a personal-best time of 2:00:28.
However, Kiplimo will face strong competition from Ethiopia's Tadese Takele and Kenyan runners Sebastian Sawe, Amos Kipruto and Alex Masai, among others. ■
