Shobukhova to seek fourth Chicago Marathon title in a row

CHICAGO (AFP) –

Liliya Shobukhova wins the womens race in the Chicago Marathon in 2010. Shobukhova will attempt to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Chicago Marathon women’s title in the 35th running of the event on October 7, organizers announced on Thursday.

Russia’s Liliya Shobukhova will attempt to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Chicago Marathon women’s title in the 35th running of the event on October 7, organizers announced on Thursday.

Shobukhova, unbeaten in three Chicago starts, was unable to finish the Olympic marathon in London earlier this month due to stomach cramps.

“It was heartbreaking to withdraw from the Olympic Marathon after I had trained so hard and my preparation had gone so well,” Shobukhova said. “But I am still very fit and in good health, and I am going to focus all my energy on a great performance at the Chicago Marathon.”

Shobukhova ran the third-fastest time in history last year to win in 2 hours 18 mins 20 secs.

“There’s no place that I feel more comfortable than when I am competing in Chicago,” she said. “I love the course and appreciate the support from the fans. I’m especially motivated to win for the fourth time in a row.”

Shobukhova’s fourth overall victory would tie her for the Chicago record owned by Khalid Khannouchi, who won four times in six years with titles in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002.

But her rivals will include Kenya’s Lucy Kabuu, who owns a personal best of 2:19:34, and Ethiopia’s Ejegayehu Dibaba, last year’s runner-up to the Russian in 2:22:09.

Kenya’s Florence Kiplagat was forced to withdraw due to an injury.