Jeptoo hits the jackpot: Kipchoge leads 1-2-3 sweep as Kenya dominate at the Chicago Marathon

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya celebrates after winning of the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2014 in Chicago (R) Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the mens race during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday,

Eliud Kipchoge won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday to lead a 1-2-3 finish for Kenyan men.

Kipchoge pulled away over the last two miles for his first major marathon victory, finishing in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 11 seconds. He was followed by Sammy Kitwara in 2:04:28 and Dickson Chumba in 2:04:32.

Kenya's Rita Jeptoo won her second consecutive Chicago Marathon women's title, giving her four marathon triumphs in a row. The 33-year-old won in an unofficial time of two hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds.

Jeptoo completed double marathon wins in the same year at Boston and Chicago for the second year in a row. The win wraps up her quest for the World Marathon Majors (WMM)     jackpot, where she will be handed a Sh44 million cheque ($500,000) in New York on November 2, alongside the $100,000, she picked up as prize money for winning the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. 

In ideal conditions — sunny skies and 46-degree temperatures — greeted the runners at the start. The men's pack stayed together for about 20 miles before Kipchoge, Kitwara and Chumba drew away.

Kipchoge and Kitwara were side by side with Chumba right behind after 24 miles. But Kipchoge made it look easy down the stretch. He made a quick burst and was in command as he headed toward the finish at Grant Park. He narrowly missed his personal best of 2:04.05.

Sammy Kitwara (2:04:28) and Dickson Chumba (2:04.32) claimed second and third.

Race co-favourite Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia fell of the pace after 25 kilometres and finished fourth in 2:05:51.

Defending champion Rita Jeptoo claimed the women's title in 2:24:35 to add to the Kenyan dominance.

Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba was a well-beaten second in 2:25:37, 20 seconds ahead of Kenyan Florence Kiplagat.

American Tatyana McFadden continued her superb women's wheelchair form, winning her third consecutive World Marathon Major of the year in 1:44.50.

Another Illinois athlete, Joshua George, won a sprint for the men's wheelchair race, clocking 1:32:12 for his fourth Chicago victory.

Kipchoge and Kitwara were side by side with Chumba right behind after 24 miles. But Kipchoge made it look easy down the stretch. He made a quick burst and was in command as he headed toward the finish at Grant Park.

Jeptoo hasn't lost a major marathon since she finished second in a sprint to Ethiopia's Atsede Baysa in the 2012 Chicago Marathon. She smashed the course record to repeat as Boston Marathon champion in the spring and came away with an easy victory in Chicago for the second straight year.

She pulled away after 23 miles, with no one near her at the end. Jeptoo raised her arms as she crossed the line and sank to her knees.