CARCOAR wheelchair racing ace Kurt Fearnley has finished as runner-up in the Chicago Marathon for the second consecutive year.

Fearnley finished in a time of one hour, 32 minutes, 13 seconds, just one second behind winner Josh George of the United States and with the same time as third placed Ernst van Dyk of South Africa.

A four-time Chicago winner, Fearnley was disappointed not to win but glad to be back on the marathon circuit.

“It’s always a tough hit out here in Chicago after a long winter at home,” Fearnley said.

“To have 12 blokes in the final pack into the last kilometre always makes it a bit dicey and Josh hit the lead at the right time and held on well.

“It was a very strong field and second place is a good result, but you come here to win so it gives you that little bit more hunger for next time around.”

Twelve months ago, Fearnley was one of four athletes – including world and course record holder Heinz Frei – who were left to battle it out over the final 25km in Chicago.

Van Dyk and Fearnley broke away over the last 200 metres, with the South African winning by less than a wheel.

This time around the field stayed together for the duration in what was a good, tactical battle. Fearnley was the early pacesetter as he led the his rivals through the opening 10 kilometres in 21 minutes, five seconds, but van Dyk was marking him well as he sat on the wheel of the former CSU student.

Over the next 5km Fearnley sat mid-pack and let others do the work, and by the time they had reached the halfway point, only four seconds stood between first and last.

Things remained tight as the finish line loomed, Fearnley sitting eighth as George led them inside the final 2km.

While he positioned himself well for the final sprint, George got the jump and Fearnley only just held off long-time rival van Dyk.

“I am so proud and happy for Josh George getting the win today,” a humble Fearnley tweeted, his rival countering by saying it was an honour to race the Carcoar product.

Next up for Fearnley is the blue riband of wheelchair marathon racing – November’s New York marathon in three weeks time.

“New York is the pinnacle of the sport. It draws the strongest field and is the toughest race,” Fearnley said.

“The 12 who finished at the front here today will be there plus another 12 who could win on any given day.”

Fearnley is a four-time, New York winner, but his last win came five years ago in 2009.

“I’ve been in good nick the last few years but have had a cyclone, a broken chair and the fastest bloke to ever race get in the way,” he said.

“I’ll approach the race the same way as I do every year. I’ll put everything I have out there and see where that leaves me.”