Cheruiyot wins in Chicago

Cheruiyot - who also won the Boston marathon earlier this year - slipped and fell backwards as he crossed the line but was later discharged from hospital having been examined as a precaution.

"He appears to be fine," said marathon spokeswoman Marianne Caponi.

"He lost his footing just before breaking the tape and hit his head."

Njenga - a veteran of the Chicago course who also finished in second place in 2002 and 2004 - crossed the line just five seconds after Cheruiyot and fellow Kenyan Jimmy Muindi finished third.

Defending champion Felix Limo pulled out of the competition with lower back pain last week.

In the women's race Berhane Adere crossed the line first in 2:20:42 also edging out Galina Bogomolova of Russia by five seconds, who was followed by Australia's Benita Johnson in 2:22:36.