Name: Atsede Baysa

Country: Ethiopia

Stats: Baysa set a marathon personal best when she finished first at last year's Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:22:03. She took second in 2010 in Chicago at 2:23:40. She has run numerous marathons in her career, winning the Paris Marathon twice and finishing within the top 5 in London, Toronto and Rome, among others.

Details: Baysa finished last year's race with a nail-biter against Rita Jeptoo. The two were neck-and-neck as they reached the Grant Park finish line. Baysa prevailed in the end and returns to defend her title this year.