Kenyan runner John Korir made history in Boston by winning the world’s oldest annual marathon. His victory was more than just a personal triumph—it marked a family legacy. John and his brother, Wesley Korir, have now both won the Boston Marathon. John plans to use his prize money to support the Transcend Talent Academy in Kenya, a school dedicated to training young athletes who cannot afford formal education. He hopes the school will one day produce another Boston Marathon champion.
John Korir Overcomes Early Fall to Make History
Just minutes after the race began in Hopkinton, Korir was tripped in the tightly packed field. He fell hard, scraping his knee and hand, and damaging his bib number. Despite the setback, he rejoined the lead pack and pressed forward. By the time he reached Heartbreak Hill, Korir surged ahead. He ran the final stretch solo, finishing with an impressive time of 2:04:45—just shy of the course record and the second-fastest in Boston Marathon history.
A Family Legacy of Champions
Wesley Korir, who won the Boston Marathon in 2012, used his prize money to build a hospital in Kenya. Now, John is following in his brother’s philanthropic footsteps. The brothers hope their efforts through the Transcend Talent Academy will inspire and support a new generation of runners.
“We dreamed of both winning Boston,” John said after the race. “Now we dream of mentoring a young athlete from Transcend to do the same.”
Supporting Talent Through Education
The Transcend Talent Academy was established to offer academic and athletic training to young Kenyans with big dreams but limited means. The Korir brothers believe talent should never go to waste due to financial barriers. By investing in the academy, John hopes to nurture athletes who may one day dominate the global marathon scene.
The school is already producing promising runners, and John’s latest victory has renewed interest and hope among the academy’s students and supporters.
Sharon Lokedi Breaks Record in Women’s Race
It was a remarkable day for Kenyan athletes overall. Sharon Lokedi finished first in the women’s race with a time of 2:17:22. Her win came more than two minutes ahead of the previous course record. Lokedi and Korir both praised the cool, clear weather conditions that made for fast racing.
Korir mentioned he might have challenged the course record if he had someone to pace with. “But because I was alone, I had to push myself and see how fast I could go,” he said.
Drama at the Start Line: Bib Malfunction
Korir’s tumble at the start led to an unexpected complication—his race bib was torn off almost completely. He tucked the damaged bib into his shorts and continued running. This posed a potential problem for race officials because the bib contains a chip that tracks the runner’s location and verifies they’ve run the full course.
Jack Fleming, president of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), praised Korir’s quick thinking. “He was clearly in the front pack and always visible on camera. Even without the bib, we knew who he was,” Fleming said.
Thankfully, the timing chip on the back of Korir’s bib remained functional, providing accurate splits at every checkpoint. His performance was beyond question.
A Testament to Determination and Mental Strength
Korir’s ability to recover quickly from a fall, hold on to his timing bib, and run one of the fastest races in Boston’s history shows the power of mental resilience. Even with scraped limbs and solo pacing, he maintained focus, proving why he’s one of the world’s top long-distance runners.
The Boston Marathon has seen many dramatic moments in its long history, but this year’s event will be remembered for John Korir’s determination and his inspiring vision for the future.
Looking Ahead: From Winners to Mentors
John and Wesley Korir are already planning the next phase of their legacy. Through Transcend Talent Academy, they aim to turn today’s victory into tomorrow’s inspiration. Their goal? To one day see a child they mentored raise the Kenyan flag high at the Boston finish line.
