This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
On July 15, 2020, the Chicago Marathon was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Brigid Kosgei, the women's world record holder, disappointed.
Brigid Kosgei set the world record at the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2019, with a time of 2:14:04. However, she will not have the opportunity to return to the course she made history on.
Lawrence Cherono won the men's title at the event, while Kosgei became the country's eighth female winner.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed disappointment over the cancellation, stating, 'Like all Chicagoans, I'm personally disappointed that this year's event won't take place as originally planned; however, we look forward to welcoming all runners and their cheering squads once again when the Chicago Marathon returns to our city in full force for another very exciting race.'
Chicago is one of the world's six Major marathons, along with races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, and New York. The Chicago race was last cancelled in 1987 after a loss of sponsorship.
