Jeptoo targets history in Chicago Marathon

History will be beckoning for Boston Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo of Kenya when she lines up at the Chicago City course for the 42km race Oct 12.

Jeptoo is chasing her maiden win in the World Marathon Majors (WMM), reports Xinhua.

However, she is in line to claim the ultimate prize this year as she heads the leaderboard with 75 points and need a top three spot to wrap it up.

"The focus is however, not on the WMM. I only enter races knowing that I have to challenge my body and rivals and emerge victorious. But of course there is little pressure, when you consider that such a huge sum of money is on offer when I win," said Jeptoo.

Alongside the $500,000 jackpot, there is $75,000 race prize money for the winner and Jeptoo is training her eyes on both as she seeks to secure them with a single stride.

"However, there are several top athletes who will be eying the jackpot too. But my focus will be on winning Chicago, the WMM jackpot will just be following into the place," she added.

Jeptoo, who holds a personal best time of 2:18:57, the only sub 2:20 time this year, can secure the WMM victory with a win at Chicago.

It will take her points total to a maximum 100, the first athlete in the history of the competition to score the maximum points available.