Less than a month after his stunning victory in the Paralympic Games marathon in Beijing, Australian Kurt Fearnley surged to a resounding win to defend his Chicago Marathon title overnight.
Fearnley was simply dominant, finishing in a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 16 seconds to break the tape more than two minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Masazumi Soejima of Japan. Krige Schabort of South Africa, was a further four minutes behind in third.
Fearnley made his intentions clear in the early stages of the 42 kilometre battle, breaking clear of the main pack with only Soejima keeping in touch.
The pair slogged it out at a cracking pace and by the 25km mark, had opened up a two and minute gap on the rest of the field.
But Soejima was unable to mix it with the Paralympic champion in the latter half of the race, and watched as the Australian extended a commanding lead.
Fearnley then pushed home his overwhelming advantage to post his fourth major marathon title of the year.
A tired Fearnley, who also won two silvers and a bronze medal to go with his gold in Beijing, was delighted with his Chicago title defence.
"That was hard work out there. Soejima is such a strong racer and I couldn't drop him. He was one of the strongest in Beijing and unlucky to finish out of the medals, so I knew he'd be there or thereabouts," Fearnley said.
"This year was all about Beijing with any other results a bonus. To finish ahead here is really pleasing as I wasn't sure how I'd pull up after the games" he added.
Fearnley's attention now turns to New York in three week's time, where he will attempt to finish his year with a third straight New York marathon title. The 27-year-old is also the current course record holder.
"It's been a great year so far. New York's my favourite race and another win there would really put the icing on the cake".
In what will be one of the toughest fields of the year, Fearnley's main threats will come from fierce rival David Weir of the United Kingdom, as well as the minor medallists from the Beijing marathon, Ernst van Dyk of South Africa and Sasahara Hiroki of Japan.
