World marathon champion Ruth Chpeng’etich is excited ahead of competing at this weekend’s Chicago Marathon, her first race in the United States of America.

It will be her first race since the Tokyo Olympics in August where she failed to finish in a race won by Peres Chepchirchir in the sweltering heat of Sapporo in Japan.

“I have never raced in USA and making my debut in such a great race like the Chicago Marathon is a dream come true.

I will give everything and try to run as fast as possible. I am also elated with the presence of such a strong field which I hope will boost my performance,” Ruth Chepngetich.

Chepng’etich holds a personal best of marathon personal best of 2:17:08, making her the fourth fastest woman in history.

The 27-year-old will be up against Sara Hall of the USA, Emma Bates, Lindsay Flanagan and USA’s Keira D’Amato.

In the elite men’s race, Kenya will be represented by among others Joel Kimurer, who has a personal best of 2:05:19 set at the Milano marathon in May this year

His best finish came at Abu Dhabi Marathon, where he finished second in 2:06:21 two years ago. Others are Eric Kiptanui and Laban Korir. 

Kiptanui made his marathon debut last year at the Dubai Marathon, where he clocked 2:06:17 to place second. Korir has personal best of 2:05:58 set at the Rotterdam Marathon in 2018.

The Kenyan trio face a stern test with two-time Olympic medallist Galen Rupp, 2019 Dubai Marathon champion Getaneh Molla, Valencia Marathon runner-up Hassan El Abbassi of Bahrain and fourth-place finisher at the 2021 Milan Marathon, Seifu Tura all in the mix .