Star Russian runner rewrites Chicago marathon history

Russia's Liliya Shobukhova has claimed the women's title the Chicago Marathon to become the race's first champion of either sex to win three consecutive titles.

Shobukhova kept pace with the women's elite runners early in the race before she started to break away. She built a massive lead over her top competitors clocking in at two hours, 18 minutes, 20 seconds, around four minutes ahead of runner-up Ejegayehu Dibaba of Ethiopia.Consequently the Russian almost secured an Olympic berth. Her country's federation will select its team based on the two fastest times posted between September 1 and the end of the year. In the men’s event, Moses Mosop of Kenya won in a course-record two hours, 5 minutes and 37 seconds, leaving behind countrymen Wesley Korir and Bernard Kipyego. Mosop and Shobukhova each claimed a winning prize of $100,000. Mosop earned another $50,000 for breaking the course record, while Shobukhova earned an additional $40,000 for finishing in a time under two hours and 20 minutes.