CHICAGO, Oct 23: Kenyan Robert Cheruiyot suffered a head injury after slipping as he crossed the finish line to win the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

Cheruiyot, who edged out compatriot Daniel Njenga by five seconds to win in a time of 2:07:35, stayed down for several minutes before being taken to hospital for tests.

“He appears to be fine,” marathon spokeswoman Marianne Caponi said. “He lost his footing just before breaking the tape and hit his head.”

Cheruiyot, winner of this year's Boston Marathon, beat Njenga, a veteran of the Chicago course who took second place in 2002 and 2004 and third in 2003 and 2005. Fellow Kenyan Jimmy Muindi finished third this year in 2:07:51.

Defending champion Felix Limo of Kenya pulled out last week because of lower back pain.

Ethiopian Berhane Adere won the women's race in 2:20:42.

Galina Bogomolova of Russia placed a close second in 2:20:47,

followed by Australian Benita Johnson in third place in

2:22:36.

About 40,000 athletes ran in windy, chilly conditions on a flat 26.2-mile (42.16-kilometer) route through Chicago's residential neighborhoods and the downtown business district.

Results:

Men’s: 1. Robert Cheruiyot (Kenya) 2:07:35; 2. Daniel Njenga (Kenya) 2:07:40; 3. Jimmy Muindi (Kenya) 2:07:51; 4. Abdi Abdirahman (US) 2:08:56; 5. Robert Cheboror (Kenya) 2:09:25; 6. Brian Sell (US) 2:10:47; 7. Japhet Kosgei (Kenya) 2:11:37; 8. Benjamin Maiyo (Kenya) 2:11:53; 9. Dejene Berhanu (Ethiopia) 2:12:27; 10. Meshack Kosgei Kirwa (Kenya) 2:12:31.

Women’s: 1. Berhane Adere (Ethiopia) 2:20:42; 2. Galina Bogomolova (Russia) 2:20:47; 3. Benita Johnson (Australia) 2:22:36; 4. Madai Perez (Mexico) 2:22:59; 5. Constantina Tomescu (Romania) 2:24:25; 6. Nuta Olaru (Romania) 2:25:37; 7. Hiromi Ominami (Japan) 2:26:04; 8. Lyudmila Petrova (Russia) 2:27:08; 9. Kathy Butler (Britain) 2:28:39; 10. Dulce Maria Rodriguez (Mexico) 2:28:54.—Reuters