World silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo will make his full Marathon debut at the Chicago Marathon on October 13 as Ruth Chepng'etich chases a hat-trick of titles.
Ebenyo is fresh off a third-place finish at last month's Boston 10km Road Race, where he clocked 27:55 behind Wesley Kiptoo (27:53) and Prague Half Marathon Champion Sabastian Sawe (27:42).
The Commonwealth 10,000m silver medallist wants to atone to his failure to punch a ticket to the Olympic Games after finishing eighth at the Kenyan trials at the Prefontaine Classic on May 25.
The 25-year-old has an impressive resume, including titles from the Delhi Half Marathon (59:27) and a silver medal at the 2022 Bahrain Half Marathon (59:04).
His other accolades include a win at the 2022 Valencia 10km Road Race (26:58), Kolkata 25km Road Race title (1:11:13) and another win at the Memorial Van Damme 10,000m race (26:57.80).
Simiu faces competition from 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, who aims to set a new personal best in Chicago.
“My goal is to run a new personal best. I want to show the world I can still win a major marathon, like Chicago,” Kipruto remarked.
Kipruto has a rich trophy cabinet, including runners-up medals from the 2018 Berlin (2:06:23) and 2022 Tokyo (2:03:13) marathons.
He finished third at the 2018 Tokyo Marathon (2:06:33) and the 2019 World Championships in Doha (2:10:51).
Also in the mix are 2023 Berlin Marathon runners-up Vincent Ngetich and 2022 Chicago Marathon second runners-up John Korir.
The Kenyan contingent will face rivalry from Ethiopians like Valencia Marathon second runners-up Dawit Wolde, Rotterdam runners-up Amedework Welelegn and 2023 Tokyo Marathon runners-up Mohamed Esa.
Also in contention are 2020 Hofu Marathon champion Tatsuya Maruyama of Japan and Americans Zach Panning and Brian Shrader.
Two-time champion Chepng’etich headlines the women's elite field.
She won the 2021 title in 2:22:31 before defending it in 2022 in 2:14:18.
Chepng'etich finished third at the 2020 London Marathon in 2:22:05, trailing USA’s Sara Hall (2:22:01) and Brigid Kosgei (2:18:58).
Also in contention are London Marathon second runners-up Joyciline Jepkosgei, 2022 Commonwealth 10,000m second runners-up Irene Cheptai and 2023 Haspa Marathon champion Dorcas Tuitoek.
The Ethiopian contingent features Tokyo Marathon champion Sutume Kebede and 2019 Amsterdam Marathon champion Degitu Azimeraw.
Hall, Keira D’Amato, Betsy Saina and Emma Bates lead the hosts' charge.