John Korir Prepares for Boston Marathon with Family Secrets

BOSTON (AP) — John Korir, the reigning champion of the Chicago Marathon, is gearing up for the Boston Marathon, drawing on family insights from his brother, Wesley Korir, who claimed victory here in 2012. With two previous attempts at Boston resulting in fourth and ninth places, John believes having a champion’s advice could make a crucial difference.

“He knows the course well. He knows where to make a move and also to relax the legs,” said John Korir, whose Chicago Marathon time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, 44 seconds marks him as a serious contender in the Boston field. “So that’s been a good help to me in training. I think it’s good.”

As John, 28, prepares for the race, this year’s Boston forecasts suggest cool conditions, with temperatures starting in the high 30s and rising to the mid-50s. This is a significant contrast to the 2012 race when Wesley faced searing heat near 85 degrees at the finish.

Wesley Korir’s experience at Heartbreak Hill, where he strategically moved ahead as competitors faltered, may provide John with valuable lessons. “It’s always helpful to have somebody that has gone through it before you, so you don’t have to make the mistakes that I’ve made,” Wesley explained. “My goal is to help him prevent mistakes so that he can be ahead, ahead in life.”

Aside from his athletic achievements, Wesley has pursued humanitarian efforts, using his marathon winnings to fund a hospital in Kenya and advocating for clean water in his community. “The thing that I’ve been helping him to do is run for more than yourself. Have a purpose in running,” Wesley said. “When you have a purpose higher than yourself, all the pain means nothing.”

John plans to donate his Boston Marathon earnings to the Transcend Talent Academy, which provides education for aspiring runners who cannot afford training. Wesley is also involved with the academy, signifying a shared commitment to uplift future athletes.

As history unfolds on Marathon Monday, a ceremony will honor Paul Revere, described by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as “the original fastest Bostonian.” The National Lancers, a ceremonial cavalry unit, will ride through Boylston Street to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Revere’s ride, a pivotal moment in American history.

Additionally, Bill Rodgers, a four-time Boston winner, will join the race as a grand marshal, acknowledging the milestone achievements of marathon history. Reigning champions Marcel Hug and Eden Rainbow-Cooper will aim to defend their titles in a competitive field, while Des Linden, the last American woman to win Boston in 2018, leads a strong group of U.S. women runners.

Among those contending for the men’s division is Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, who hopes to repeat his success in a field packed with elite athletes. A total of 31,778 runners from 128 countries entered this year’s marathon, with substantial prize money of $1,214,500 available across various categories.