The 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo delivered a commanding display on the roads on Sunday, obliterating the Chicago half marathon course record as he surged to victory in 1:00:39.
Ebenyo’s winning mark shaved 29 seconds off the previous course record of 1:01:08 set by Zouhair Talbi.
The Kenyan distance star produced a decisive finishing burst to outkick American pair of Futsum Zienasellassie (1:01:37) and Bod Liking (1:01:55).
The triumph also marked Ebenyo’s first half marathon victory since 2024, ending a lengthy wait for top honours over the distance.
The last time he stood atop a half marathon podium was at the 2024 Berlin Half Marathon, where he clocked an impressive 59:30.
On that occasion, Ebenyo spearheaded a Kenyan clean sweep, with Amos Kurgat finishing second in 59:42 and Isaia Lasoi completing the podium in 59:47.
Daniel Ebenyo’s half-marathon performance
Ebenyo announced himself over the distance in 2019 with a winning debut at the Laayoune Half Marathon in Morocco, stopping the clock in 1:00:45 ahead of Morocco’s Mohammed Ziani (1:01:17) and Ethiopia’s Tefera Mosisa (1:01:34).
His second appearance came in Manama, Bahrain, in 2022, where he produced a personal best of 59:04 to finish as runner-up.
Fellow Kenyan Sabastian Sawe claimed victory in that race after clocking 58:58.
Ebenyo carried that momentum into 2023, opening his season with victory in Istanbul in 59:52 ahead of Morocco’s Hicham Amghar (59:58) and Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu (1:00:03).
He followed that up with a silver medal from the World Half Marathon Championships in Riga, Latvia, clocking 59:14 to finish just behind Sawe, who won gold in 59:10.
Ebenyo then produced another dominant performance in New Delhi, cutting the tape in 59:27 as Charles Matata (1:00:05) and Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena (1:00:51) trailed in his wake.
In 2024, he claimed top honours at the Berlin half marathon.
The 30-year-old’s half marathon campaign this year began on a disappointing note when he missed out on a podium finish at the New York half marathon on March 15, crossing the line 13th in 1:00:50.
However, he quickly bounced back, producing a strong showing at the BOLDERBoulder 10K road race in Colorado, USA, on May 25.
Ebenyo finished second in 29:06 behind compatriot Patrick Kiprop, who won in 28:35.
The distance-running ace has otherwise enjoyed a strong start to 2026. He opened his campaign with a bronze medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, clocking 28:45.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo stormed to gold in 28:18, while Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi secured silver in 28:36.
In the women’s race in Chicago, Italy’s Laura Galvan claimed top honours after crossing the finish line in 1:10:11.
American Molly Born finished second in 1:11:58, while Kenya’s Joyline Chemutai completed the podium in 1:14:00.
