BOSTON — John Korir is gearing up to compete in the Boston Marathon, bringing with him not only an impressive track record but also valuable insights from a family member with firsthand experience on the course. As the reigning Chicago Marathon champion, John has sought advice from his brother Wesley Korir, the 2012 Boston Marathon winner. After finishing fourth and ninth in two previous Boston tries, John believes Wesley’s guidance could be crucial this time around.
“Wesley knows this course inside and out – when to push hard and when to conserve energy,” said John Korir, who holds a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 44 seconds from Chicago, which ranks as the second fastest time among Monday’s Boston competitors. “That has been a significant factor during my training, and I believe it’s to my advantage.”
At 28, John has 14 years on his older brother Wesley, who won amidst scorching conditions in a past Boston Marathon. This year’s weather forecast seems gentler, predicting temperatures from the high 30s to mid-50s, with mild winds. Wesley’s 2012 experience battling Heartbreak Hill and overtaking fatigued leaders serves as a tactical blueprint, proving Boston requires more tactical skill than speed alone.
Recalling his own time of 2:12:40, nearly nine minutes slower than the previous course record, Wesley emphasizes that win didn’t depend solely on speed. “Having someone experienced to point out potential pitfalls is invaluable,” Wesley explained. “I aspire to guide John away from the mistakes I made, helping him to advance, both in his career and beyond.”
After his running career, Wesley transitioned into politics, serving in Kenya’s parliament and utilizing his Boston Marathon prize money for noble causes, including building a hospital. He has ingrained a similar purpose-driven perspective in his brother John, encouraging him to run not just for personal glory but for greater causes. John intends to donate his Boston earnings to the Transcend Talent Academy, supporting underprivileged runners’ education in Kenya, a mission Wesley had a hand in shaping.
“Knowing he’s picking up where I left off is reassuring, seeing the younger generation supporting the important causes I championed,” Wesley remarked, expressing pride.
Coinciding with the marathon is a ceremonial tribute to Paul Revere, a nod to Boston’s rich history. Ahead of the runners departing from Hopkinton, the National Lancers will conduct a ride along Boylston Street to mark the 250th anniversary of Revere’s notable ride warning colonists of approaching British forces, an event echoing Boston’s spirited revolutionary past.
Moreover, a remarkable milestone will be celebrated—the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division. This year, Bob Hall, the pioneering winner from 1975 and ’77, will lead as grand marshal. “In Boston, we embrace commemorating history and the pivotal moments along the journey,” Boston Athletic Association President Jack Fleming noted about the inception of wheelchair racing. Reinforcing this, last year’s champions Marcel Hug and Eden Rainbow-Cooper are poised to defend their titles.
In the women’s race, Hellen Obiri of Kenya seeks a consecutive win, aiming to be the first woman to achieve three back-to-back Boston victories since 1999. Des Linden stands out with a robust field of American female contenders rising to the challenge, while the men’s side features prominent athletes like Sisay Lemma hoping to retain his winning status. This year, however, Lelisa Desisa had to step down due to fitness concerns.
In total, 31,778 participants, comprising 18,062 men, 13,640 women, and 76 nonbinary runners are set to make the journey from Hopkinton to Boston, representing a global community from 128 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Impressively, a prize pool of $1,214,500 awaits, with substantial bonuses earmarked for record-breaking performances.