Abel Kirui is one of the most decorated athletes in the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon field. The 2016 champion and Olympic medalist is back to gain back his title. 

Here are some of his accomplishments:

Name: Abel Kirui

Country of Origin: Kenya

Standout Race: Abel Kirui literally danced across the finish line when he won his first AbbottWMM in Chicago in 2016, defeating a strong field in a tactical race that saw erratic pace swings from 4:33 per mile to 5:24. Kirui battled Dickson Chumba, the 2015 Chicago Marathon champion, for the final two and a half miles until Kirui launched an attack that Chumba could not match. Kirui returned last year to defend his title, but he failed to equal Galen Rupp’s lethal kick at the end, finishing a few strides away from the win in second place.

More About Abel Kirui: He stands out as one of the most decorated athletes in the field – he took home a silver medal in the marathon at the 2012 London Olympics and he won both the 2009 and 2011 IAAF World Marathon Championships. Kirui founded the Great Joy Educational Centre in Eldoret, Kenya. The Great Joy Educational Centre is a boarding school that helps children in poverty to receive a primary school education. Kirui regularly visits students to "speak with them and check on their happiness and well-being."