Kenyan distance runner Stephen Sambu (© Getty Images)
Kenya’s Stephen Sambu will make his highly anticipated 26.2-mile debut at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, on 9 October.
Sambu has previously won two other races in Chicago, taking back-to-back titles at the 2015 and 2016 Shamrock Shuffle, held over 8km. He also won the 2015 Great Manchester Run and this year’s New York City Half Marathon, while more recently he clocked a season’s best 26:58.25 in the 10,000m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene.
“I’m excited to make my first marathon appearance in Chicago because of the strong history of runners making their debut here,” said Sambu. “I’m training very hard and can’t wait to race in front of the fans. I love the flat streets of the city, and I look forward to coming back.”
The Arizona-based runner joins a long list of athletes who have made their marathon debut in Chicago, alongside the likes of former world record-holders Steve Jones and Khalid Khannouchi.
“Stephen Sambu is one of the most highly rated athletes on the road today who isn’t afraid to go to the well and put in the work,” said executive race director Carey Pinkowski. “He loves the energy of racing in our city.”
Organisers for the IAAF
