World records, course records, personal bests and Olympic status - a lot happened at this year's Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Here's a look at some of the biggest highlights from the 2019 race.
Brigid Kosgei Shatters World Record
Arguably the biggest headline to come out of this year's race was Brigid Kosgei's record-breaking finish.
Kosgei, of Kenya, broke not one but two records with her finish in this year's race. She finished with an unofficial time of 2:14:04 (pending ratification), which puts her more than a minute faster than the all-time record of 2:15:25 set by Paula Radcliffe in the 2003 London Marathon. She also broke the course record set by Radcliffe in 2002 in Chicago.
"When I was going, I feel my body is moving, moving, moving and so I tried to go," she said.
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Kosgei’s personal record time was previously 2:18:20, which she set earlier this year in the London Marathon.
Radcliffe acknowledged that 17 was her "lucky number" and Sunday marked 17 years since she set the course world record in the city.
"That was a very special day for me and it's a very special day for Brigid," she said.
Wheelchair Athletes Punch Their Tickets to Tokyo
For the top Americans to finish the wheelchair races at the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, earning a slot on the podium was made even better this year.
That's because they also qualified for a spot on Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Twenty-one-year-old Daniel Romanchuk was among those athletes, not only defending his title in the men's wheelchair race, but securing his way to Olympic athlete status.
"It is again one of those things that’s gonna take a while to sink in," he said, getting emotional in a finish line interview with NBC 5.
He will be joined on Team USA by Tatyana McFadden and Susannah Scaroni, who finished among the top in the women's wheelchair race.
"We are the first named to the Tokyo Paralympic Team so we're really, really excited to be officially going," McFadden said.
She was followed in the 2019 race by Ababel Yeshaneh and Gelete Burka, both of Ethiopia, and the first American finisher Emma Bates, who was racing in only her second marathon.
Boston Marathon Winner Also Takes Chicago Crown
In a tight race, Lawrence Cherono continued his winning streak, taking the crown in Chicago after entering the race as the reigning Boston Marathon champion.
Cherono said after his finish that he went into the final stretch knowing that it was "no man's race." But he powered through to narrowly win the race.
"I'm happy," he said after crossing the finish line.
In Only Her 2nd Marathon, Emma Bates is 1st US Woman to Cross Finish Line
Emma Bates finished her last marathon as Emma Bates - and she made it a big victory in more ways than one.
Bates, who was running only her second marathon, finished with a personal best time just one week before her wedding.
"I'm super excited but ready to party," she said at the finish line.
Bates finished fourth in the Chicago race, becoming the first U.S. woman to cross the finish line.
"It was so much fun," she said. "The streets of Chicago are so electric."
Bates finished with an unofficial time of 2:25:27, breaking her personal best more nearly three minutes.
Best Signs From the 2019 Chicago Marathon
She put her name in the 2020 conversation last winter when she broke 2:30 in her marathon debut in Sacramento, finishing in 2:28:19 while also capturing her first U.S. title.
Bates was an exciting athlete in this year’s field. After struggling to find her stride while running professionally in Boston, she packed up and moved back to Boise, Idaho – opting for solitude and serenity over the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitan city.
Top US Athletes Drop Out of the Race
Two of the top American athletes were forced to drop out of the race mid-run.
Galen Rupp, who in 2017 became the first American male to win the Chicago Marathon in 15 years, did not finish the race due to a calf strain that began tightening about 6 miles in, according to his manager. He continued until the 23rd mile but was unable to continue.
Jordan Hasay, who finished in Chicago in 2017 with the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman, also did not finish after she began feeling a sharp pain in her hamstring two miles in. Her manager said she tried to stretch and run again but was unable to continue.
