Jacob Kiplimo Wins 2025 Chicago Marathon Wearing Galaxy Watch8

On Oct. 12, thousands of spectators lined up to witness one of the world’s most prestigious long-distance races: the Chicago Marathon¹. Among the athletes vying for first was Jacob Kiplimo, a world-class marathoner and member of Team Galaxy. Wearing Galaxy Watch8, Kiplimo remained a frontrunner for most of the race before cementing his lead after the 28-kilometer mark. He secured victory, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 23 seconds – the second fastest record in the event’s history.

▲ Jacob Kiplimo runs the 2025 Chicago Marathon, wearing a Galaxy Watch8 on his wrist.

Kiplimo’s victory further solidifies his status as one of the sport’s greats and marks another milestone in his career as the current half-marathon world record holder (56:42) and Uganda’s national marathon record holder.

▲ Jacob Kiplimo crosses the finish line of the 2025 Chicago Marathon.

A Winning Strategy Built on Innovation

For Kiplimo, preparation was strategic, precise, and deeply tied to technology. He consistently monitored his running and sleep data using Galaxy Watch8, which helped him maintain peak condition in the weeks leading up to the event.

▲ Jacob Kiplimo on a training run wearing a Galaxy Watch8 on his wrist.

The Galaxy Watch8 series offers powerful features designed for runners of all levels, from beginners to elite athletes like Kiplimo. With Running Coach, users can analyze performance data after a 12-minute run, get a tailored assessment of their running skills on a 10 level-scale, and receive a customized training program.

During each run, the watch provides real-time pace feedback, with detailed metrics, while even offering motivational messages – making it a valuable partner for any runner.

Rest is Critical to Performance

While running is the foundation of any marathon training plan, Kiplimo emphasized the importance of recovery. For recovery and improved balance, Galaxy Watch8 delivers personalized sleep coaching based on individual sleep patterns. The Bedtime Guidance feature, introduced with the Galaxy Watch8 series, analyzes the user’s sleep patterns over three days to suggest the ideal bedtime and establish consistent sleep routines for better rest and recovery.

▲ Jacob Kiplimo is examined by a physician while resting, wearing a Galaxy Watch8 on his wrist.

“When anxiety kicks in before the big race, it is critical that I reduce my training and conserve my energy through sleep - a crucial part of every runner’s training journey. Sleep helps my body lock in all the hard work I’ve done,” Kiplimo said. “Good luck to everyone running tomorrow.”





¹ First held in 1977, the Chicago Marathon is one of the seven World Marathon Majors, attracting elite runners worldwide.