Jacob Kiplimo Clinches UGX87 Million Marathon Majors Series Prize Thanks to Chicago Heroics

Jacob Kiplimo last ran on October 12 but the money keeps flowing for him as he had added more millions to his bank account.

This is after he finished second in the Marathon Majors Series leaderboard, having accumulated 41 points, same as Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu, and nine behind Kenyan Sebastian Sawe, who won the men’s top prize of $50,000 (UGX174 million).

Kiplimo won the 2025 Chicago Marathon on October 12, when he clocked 2:02:21, having been in world record pace before it slipped away in the final stretch, and that victory left him in a good position for a share of the Marathon Majors millions.

Every year, the World Marathon Majors prize of $50,000 (UGX174 million) is reserved for elite marathoners who perform exemplarily in seven major marathons; Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Sydney and New York where they accumulate points, and whoever has more at the end of the season is awarded the prize.

In an Olympics and World Championships year, like 2025, the events also count towards the prize with winners in the men’s and women’s categories awarded $50,000 each at the end of the campaign.

The points are 25 for first place, 16 for second, nine for third and four and one point for fourth and fifth place finishers in each of the major marathons.

After the Chicago Marathon, Kiplimo and world champion Simbu were on 41 points with Sawe top on 50 but following last Sunday’s New York Marathon, none of the other challengers closed in.

It means the two East Africans shared second place and the prize money given the cash prizes extend to those who finish second $25,000 (UGX87 million), third $12,500 (UGX43 million), fourth $7,500 (UGX26 million) and $5,000 (UGX17 million) for fifth place.