Lawrence Cherono wins Chicago Marathon in sprint finish

Lawrence Cherono came from behind to win the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The 2019 Boston champion was patient through Sunday’s race, remaining with the pack of runners until the final metres.

Brigid Kosgei 2:14:04!!! ? That’s a massive WR in the marathon. @JakeBillRiley, 2:10:36, leads 9 other Americans under 2:12! Is that the most Americans ever under 2:12 in one race?

— Reid Coolsaet (@ReidCoolsaet) October 13, 2019

RELATED: Brigid Kosgei runs women’s marathon world record of 2:14:04 (unofficial)

Cherono only won the race by one second, in 2:05:45, out-kicking Dejene Debela who finished second in 2:05:46. Third place went to Asefa Mengstu in 2:05:48.

? WINNER ?

Lawrence Cherono ?? wins the @chimarathon in a thrilling sprint finish just like he did in @bostonmarathon in April!#AbbottWMM pic.twitter.com/7R6H3WTSCp

— Abbott WMMajors (@WMMajors) October 13, 2019

It was a difficult day for three former Nike Oregon Project members. Neither Jordan Hasay nor Galen Rupp finished the race. Hasay dropped after 5K and Rupp around 35K. Mo Farah ran his slowest marathon yet, finishing in 2:09:58. The Oregon Project was shut down earlier this week by Nike.

This comes as a result of the US Anti-Doping Agency ban of head coach Alberto Salazar last week for four years following a years-long investigation and secret arbitration case. The details appear in a BBC report by journalist Mark Daly and a statement by USADA outlining the specific charges, which include trafficking in testosterone (a banned substance), illegal methods and evidence-tampering at the NOP’s Beaverton, Oregon headquarters. Salazar is former coach to Kara Goucher and the newly-crowned 10,000m champion Sifan Hassan, among others.

BREAKING: After a very close men’s race, Lawrence Cherono from Kenya is our 2019 @BankofAmerica #ChicagoMarathon champion! ? pic.twitter.com/0Da0rq1H2q

— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 13, 2019

Aside from Rupp, American men had a really strong day–one of the strongest in American marathoning history. Ten American runners finished under 2:12 on Sunday, with Jacob Riley coming across first in 2:10:36.

Full results can be found here.