Emily Sisson smashes Keira D’Amato’s American record at Chicago Marathon

Emily Sisson has taken 43 seconds off the American women’s marathon record set just nine months ago by Keira D’Amato, with a second-place finish at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:18:29–an almost five-minute personal best. The race was won by defending champion Ruth Chepngetich, who ran an almost unbelievable 2:14:18, missing the world record by 14 seconds.

It was perfect weather on the flat, fast course in Chicago on Sunday morning–slightly chilly at the start, with many elites sporting arm warmers and hats, but mostly sunny. Benson Kipruto, the 2021 Boston Marathon winner and 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon champion, took the win in 2:04:24, 25 seconds ahead of 2021 champion Seifu Tura, who had to settle for second, and Kenya’s John Korir.

Chepngetich established a massive lead early in the race, but by 15 km she started slowly drifting off the world record pace. Sisson moved up into second place, dropping her nearest competition, Kenya’s Vivian Kiplagat, at the 35 km mark. Sisson hung on for second place and Kiplagat took the third spot on the podium with 2:20:52.

Second fastest women's marathon time in history for Ruth Chepngetich with 2:14:18 to win Chicago, having gone through halfway in a wild 65:44 and hung on for dear life thereafter.

WR remains 2:14:04 by Brigid Kosgei. pic.twitter.com/rfSnBVPtBr

— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) October 9, 2022

Sisson, 30, has firmly established herself as one of the most dominant women in American distance running. She also set the American half-marathon record in May at the One America 500Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis (also the half-marathon national championship) with a 1:07:11; she is also the 2022 15K national champion. Sisson is only the third American woman (after D’Amato and previous marathon record holder Deena Kastor) to break 2:20 in the marathon.