The 33rd running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon witnessed a record 38,132 participants start the race and 36,159 runners cross the finish line, two defending champions, and a course record in the men's wheelchair competition.

"The 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon was the epitome of everything marathons could, and should be," said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director. "It was one of the most exciting races in the 33-year history of the event and it lived up to its auspicious date of 10-10-10."

Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) defended his North American record victory at the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with another impressive sub 2:06:30 effort. His official time of 2:06:24 bested 2010 Virgin London Marathon champion Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) and 2010 Boston Marathon champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (KEN) in what was the most competitive Chicago Marathon field ever. Wanjiru, Kebede, and Feyisa Lilesa (ETH) matched paces through the 35 kilometer mark in a battle of the youngest elite men at 23, 23 and 20 years old, respectively. Lilesa dropped after 35K leaving Wanjiru and Kebede trading leads until the very end when Wanjiru kicked hard at mile 26 to claim victory. Kebede finished in 2:06:43 with Lilesa reaching the podium in 2:08:10.

Wanjiru now holds a 10-point lead in the World Marathon Major Series, all but giving him the title and $500,000 prize, barring an unexpected decision from Kebede to race in New York next month. Kebede would need to finish second or better in New York to overtake Wanjiru.

On the women's side, Liliya Shobukhova also defended her 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon title while setting a personal record and new Russian record. Shobukhova overtook Astede Baysa (ETH) at the 35K mark and ran solo through the chute, finishing in 2:20:25. Baysa finished second, more than 3 minutes back of Shobukhova at 2:23:40. Maria Konovalova (RUS) took third in 2:23:50, American Desiree Davila finished fourth in 2:26:20 and Irina Mikitenko (GER) rounded out the top five in 2:26:40.

Shobukhova's second Major victory of 2010-she previously won the London Marathon in April-secured her the World Marathon Major Series title with 85 points.

The men's wheelchair competition saw 12-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and 12-time World Champion Goal Medalist Heinz Frei (SUI) set a new course record in his Bank of America Chicago Marathon debut. Frei, a 52-year-old race veteran, finished in 1:26:56, outlasting a younger field that featured 9-time Boston Marathon Champion Ernst Van Dyk, who made his Bank of America Chicago Marathon debut. American Amanda McGrory captured her third Bank of America Chicago Marathon championship in the women's wheelchair division in 1:47:25, reclaiming victory over her University of Illinois teammate and defending 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon winner Tatyana McFadden (USA). McGrory won a sprint down the final stretch of Columbus Drive with Wakako Tsuchida (JPN) who crossed two seconds later in 1:47:27. McFadden finished in 1:56:11.