The Weekend Recovery: Chicago Marathon, Nuttycombe Records Broken

Americans thrived in the Chicago Marathon, two massive performances won the marathon and a collegiate masterclass in Wisconsin won the week.

Oct 13, 2026 by Mathias Cubillan

Clayton Young & Galen Rupp React to Historic Chicago Marathon Performances | Chicago Marathon 202620:29

With upsets, records falling and title defenses at the 2026 Chicago Marathon as well as an insane performance at the 2026 Nuttycombe Invitational, this weekend featured elite distance running from athletes all over the world.

Here are our top five stories from the weekend.

5. Emma Grace Hurley’s Insane Debut

Spending years in the half-marathon circuit and competing in other shorter distance runs, Emma Grace Hurley took her shot at a full marathon by participating in the 2026 Chicago Marathon. The Furman University grad stunned by finishing in seventh place at 2:20:47, the fastest time for an American debutant ever.

The race was Hurley’s first time ever running over 25k, a distance in which she won at the USATF 25K Championships in May with a 1:22:52.

Following her performance, Hurley told reporters that although she enjoys the half marathon more as that’s what she is better at right now, she will likely run another full marathon in 2027.

4. Hawi Feysa Defends Her Title In Chicago

The hubbub around the 2026 iteration of the Chicago Marathon largely centered on the men’s race – the potential crowning of Jacob Kiplimo, Clayton Young’s national record attempt and a strong cluster of Americans were major storylines – but Hawi Feysa’s return to the Chicago streets was equally triumphant.

After winning in 2025 with a time of 2:14:57 and following that with a third-place finish in Tokyo earlier this year, Feysa looked to defend her title. The Ethiopian did just that, flying to a 2:13:33, which is good for fourth on the world all-time list.

She ended up beating Sharon Lokedi and Brigid Jepchirchir Kosgei, two elite runners who both ended up on the podium.

3. Meshack Kipruto Sets Course Record At Nuttycombe

One of the most prestigious collegiate cross country meets in the country took place over the sprawling plains of Wisconsin this weekend, where Meshack Kipruto stamped his name in the records books. The Colorado Buffalo set a meet and 8k course record with a 22:30.1.

The Kenyan freshman edged out another freshman, New Mexico’s Pasanjo Kitonga, by 0.7 seconds. While Kipruto’s performance was special, his Buffs ended up falling to Kitonga’s Lobos, finishing in second place.

Kipruto’s pace led three additional runners to finish under the previous course record of 22:33.8, thrusting his name into national prominence.

2. Clayton Young Finishes As Top American

Conversation surrounding Clayton Young attempt at the American marathon record had quieted since his September announcement following news of a hamstring injury. However, before the 2026 Chicago Marathon, Young told a gaggle of reporters that he wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t ready.

The Brigham Young product backed up his claim, beating the rest of the American runners present with a 2:05:23, falling just 40 seconds short of the all-time American record. Even with his injured leg, Young improved on his Boston Marathon time from earlier this year by 18 seconds.

Young’s performance was all the more impressive when evaluated against the strong contingent of Americans present, including Vincent Mauri’s marathon debut and Charles Hicks’ strong showing at the Boston Marathon earlier this year.

1. Amos Kipruto Pulls Off The Upset In Chicago

After a strong season that saw him win his third World XC Championship in a row and set a world record in the half marathon, the 2026 Chicago Marathon was ready to roll out the red carpet for Jacob Kiplimo.

However, Amos Kipruto took home the glory, earning the laurels with a blazing 2:01:09 time that vaulted him into the world top five. The Kenyan runner’s performance was the second best in Chicago marathon history, and it drew him level with Eliud Kipchoge for fifth-fastest ever.

Ethiopia’s Tadese Bikila ended up in second place at 2:02:56 and fellow countrymen Milkesa Mengesha rounded out the podium with a 2:03:46.

Kiplimo pulled up with a hamstring injury during the race, but was still solid, finishing in fourth place in 2:04:18.

FloTrack Archived Footage

Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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