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Chicago Marathon

Sunday, Oct 7, 2012 at 11:17 AM

Kebede Wins Chicago Marathon, Sets Course Record

AP Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia won the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sunday, with a time of 2:04:38, a new course record, NBC Chicago reported. "I don't believe it!" said Kebede, when he crossed the finish line. Kebede started Sunday's race looking for redemption from the 2010 race, where he was run out of the top spot during the final stretch by the late Sammy Wanjiru by about 20 seconds. "Two years ago, I was right here, it was the same, but I could not run," said Kebede. "Two years ago it was Wanjiru. But this was my goal! My goal!" The 23-year-old was not the only one to break records from his country. Fellow Ethiopian runners Feyisa Lilesa and Regassa Tilahun helped shut out the Kenyans from the top three spots, ending Kenya's nine year streak of winning the event. Lilesa crossed at 2:04:52 followed by Tilahun 2:05:26. The top American finisher was Dathan Ritzenhein, who placed ninth with a time of 02:07:47. Chicago's chilly temperatures -- below 40-degrees at race time -- helped lead to fast times on both sides. Get More at NBCChicago.com