'Underdog' Chumba fancies his chances in Chicago

What you need to know:

  • Since his marathon debut in 2009, he has finished 17 races: winning five, finishing runner-up five times and third four times.
  • Having started the season well by winning Tokyo Marathon, Chumba went on with his training before competing in Bogota Half Marathon where he finished third in 65:23.

After winning Tokyo Marathon early this year, Dickson Chumba has set his eyes on a Majors prize as he competes in Chicago on Sunday.

Chumba, speaking to Nation Sport in Eldoret before departing for the USA, was optimistic that his meticulous preparations over the last four months would stand him in good stead when he clashed with some of the best marathon runners in the world.

Said the Kapsabet-based athlete: “My training has been good and I believe I will run a good race. Compared to last year, I'm in good shape and it’s a matter of believing in what I was training for.”

Chumba, who runs under 2-Running Club, said that he was not intimidated by big names such as Mo Farah, Abel Kirui and Galen Rupp who are in the Chicago start list.

“Yes we have good athletes like Mo Farah, Abel Kirui, Geoffrey Kirui and even last years’ winner Galen Rupp whom I will be competing against. They have trained well for the race but I have also done my part,” said Chumba.

“My training partner (Amos) Kipruto managed to finish second in Berlin Marathon. That shows we had done good preparations before he left for the race and on my side, the result will be rewarding in the end.”

Since his marathon debut in 2009, he has finished 17 races: winning five, finishing runner-up five times and third four times.

Having started the season well by winning Tokyo Marathon, Chumba went on with his training before competing in Bogota Half Marathon where he finished third in 65:23.

Chumba will face stiff competition from compatriots former Chicago Marathon champion Abel Kirui, world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui, former World Half Marathon silver medallist Bedan Karoki and former Amsterdam Marathon champion Bernard Kipyego.