KAMPALA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's long-distance star Jacob Kiplimo has said he is ready to defend his Chicago Marathon title when the race returns on October 11.

Kiplimo, who has established himself as one of the world's leading marathon runners since moving up from shorter-distance events, won last year's race in two hours, two minutes and 23 seconds.

"I can confirm that I will take part in the Chicago Marathon and try to defend the title I won last year," Kiplimo told Xinhua.

The Ugandan opened his 2026 campaign by winning his third consecutive World Athletics Cross Country Championships title before triumphing at the Lisbon Half Marathon in a record time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

He also finished third at the London Marathon with a personal best of 2:00:28.

"I continue to prepare and the training is going on well because my target remains to defend my title. I know it will not be an easy race, but the training I am undergoing is intense and getting on well," added Kiplimo.

Kiplimo is expected to face strong competition in Chicago from Ethiopia's Tadese Takele and Kenya's Amos Kipruto and Alex Masai, among others.

Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otuchet expressed confidence that Kiplimo would deliver another strong performance in Chicago.

"Kiplimo is recording good time in the marathons since he moved from the shorter races. Finishing third in the London Marathon was a good performance because he improved his time, and I am confident he will defend his title," he said. ■