The Chicago Marathon is one of the largest events of its kind in the United States, and the 2014 edition of the race featured ideal weather on the beautiful 26.2-mile course.

According to CBSChicago.com, 45,000 runners took part in the 37th annual event and ran their way through the heart of the Windy City. With the support of fans lining the marathon route, this year’s edition of the race was a success.

On the men’s side, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge was victorious with a time of two hours, four minutes and 11 seconds. The women’s champion was Rita Jeptoo of Kenya, who finished with a time of 2:24:35.

Here are the top men’s and women’s finishers and a breakdown of the 2014 Chicago Marathon.

*Results via ChicagoMarathon.com.

Andrew Nelles/Associated Press

Breaking Down the Chicago Marathon

Considered one of the six major marathons in the world, the Chicago Marathon is the perfect place for young runners to test their ability or veteran runners to see if they still have what it takes to contend for a victory. Sunday’s event lived up to the lofty expectations.

The course ran through the heart of the city and is flatter than most marathons. It has been a haven for personal-best times and world records. Despite ideal conditions and a talented field, the race did not allow a world record to be set in 2014.

Kipchoge was one of the favorites coming into Sunday’s race, and he didn’t disappoint, winning the event and taking home $155,000 in prize money, according to Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune.

Sammy Kitwara finished in second with a time of 2:04:28, and Dickson Chumba rounded out the top three with a time of 2:04:32. Former Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele finished a disappointing fourth with a time of 2:05:51.

On the women’s side, the headlines are all talking about Rita Jeptoo.

Jeptoo was the defending race champion coming into this event and a favorite to repeat. The immense pressure might have shaken other competitors, but Jeptoo came back strong and won her second Chicago Marathon in as many years.

When asked about her slow start, Jeptoo told NBCChicago.com, “It was very difficult [at the] start. Everybody was looking for me, so I tried my best.”

It wasn’t close, either. Second-place finisher Mare Dibaba was over a minute behind Jeptoo with a time of 2:25:37. Florence Kiplagat, Birhane Dibaba and Amy Hastings finished third, fourth and fifth respectively, but none could compare to the speed and power of Jeptoo on Sunday.

The ideal conditions made for a great day of running, and the course in Chicago helped produce entertaining competition for the marathoners and the spectators witnessing the event live.