Seifu Tura Abdiwak, Ruth Chepngetich win elite races at 2021 Chicago Marathon

The first wave of runners start at the Chicago Marathon on Columbus drive Sunday morning, Oct. 10, 2021. | Mark Capapas/Sun-Times

Seifu Tura Abdiwak of Ethiopia and Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya won Sunday in the return of the Chicago Marathon, which was scrapped last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Abdiwak, who placed sixth in the Chicago race in 2019, finished in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 12 seconds. Galen Rupp was second in 2:06:35, followed by Kenya’s Eric Kiptanui with a time of 2:06:51.

Seifu Tura Abdiwak, of Ethiopia, wins the men’s Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

Rupp won the Chicago title in 2017, becoming the first American man to accomplish the feat in 15 years.

Chepngetich took the women’s race, finishing in 2:22:31. Emma Bates of the U.S. was second at 2:24:20.

Around 35,000 runners competed in Sunday’s 26.2-mile event. Organizers canceled last year’s race due to health concerns for runners, spectators and volunteers. Registered participants had to provide either proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.

Galen Rupp, of the United States, finishes in second place in the men’s Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

Runners pass on Wacker Drive during the Chicago Marathon Sunday morning.

The first wave of runners head along Wacker Drive early in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

Crowds at the Chicago Marathon cheer on runners on Jackson Boulevard Sunday morning.

Police officers watch the start of the Chicago Marathon on Columbus Drive Sunday morning.

Runners in Sunday’s Chicago Marathon head north on Columbus Drive, under the BP Pedestrian Bridge connecting Maggie Daley and Millennium parks.

Spectators watch the Chicago Marathon along Jackson Boulevard on Sunday morning.

Runners at the start of the Chicago Marathon on Columbus Drive Sunday morning.

Runners at the start of the Chicago Marathon on Columbus Drive Sunday morning.