Australian wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley has won his third straight Chicago marathon. Fearnley battled near freezing conditions and a strong international field to win in a time of 1 hour 29 minutes 9 seconds, nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest rival Masazumi Soejima of Japan, with South African Krige Schabort a further four minutes behind.

The victory was Fearnley's eighth straight marathon win stretching back to May last year and continues his unbeaten run on the Chicago streets.

"It's nice to keep the roll going," Fearnley said. "I enjoy coming to Chicago, the course is great and the people are fantastic. You never know what sort of weather you’re going to get here and it was tough today in the cold. The pace was good though and I'm happy to have finished in front," he added.

It was a two man race for the majority, with Fearnley and Soejima breaking from the pack in the first five kilometres. By the half way mark the duo had opened up a two minute break on the chasing athletes, and it was at this point that Fearnley elected to make a break on his own.

"I've spent a bit of time away from racing this year so wanted to see how the arms would go. I felt good for the first half and Soejima is a great finisher so I thought I'd try and open up a lead and avoid a sprint finish. It worked out well and I'm glad the arms have still got it."

Fearnley now heads home to Australia where he will finalize his preparation for next month's New York marathon, a race he has won for the last three years.

"I'm feeling good and can't wait to get to the start line in New York. It's a streak that I'd like to keep going for a while yet but I'll have to be at my best. Most of these guys will back up and will be there and an extra dozen or so top racers from Europe so it will be a ripper of a race," Fearnley added.

Among those on the New York start line will be the only man to beat Fearnley twice over the marathon distance in last three years, the United Kingdom's David Weir.

The last time they met was in London this May with Fearnley finishing less than two seconds ahead in their trademark sprint finish.