Twice LA Marathon champ Korir aims for a Majors title
John Korir, two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion stretches at Chapkanga in Uasin Gishu County on October 04, 2022. Korir will compete in Chicago Marathon this Sunday.
What you need to know:
- Korir will make his Marathon Majors debut at Chicago in the USA on Sunday confident of launching a serious assault on the crown
- Focused Vivian Kiplagat wants to lower her PB time on Sunday
- Kiplagat said that after winning Milano Marathon in April in a personal best time of 2:20:18 she was in great shape physically and mentally
Two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion John Korir now wants a bigger title.
Korir will make his Marathon Majors debut at Chicago in the USA on Sunday confident of launching a serious assault on the crown.
He enjoyed an encouraging outing at the Los Angeles Marathon in March where he retained his title in a personal best time of 2:09:08.
In Chicago on Sunday, Korir will come up against compatriots Amsterdam Marathon champion Bernard Koech who has a personal best of 2:04:09 and is the second fastest man in the field, Paris Marathon champion Elisha Rotich (2:04:21), Eric Kiptanui (2:05:47) and the Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto (2:05:13).
The Kenyan athletes will be seeking to wrest back the title from Ethiopians after Seifu Tura won last year with USA’s Galen Rupp coming in second while Kenya’s Eric Kiptanui finished third.
Korir told Nation Sport he was ready for the task and he will be eyeing a top-three finish.
“I started with build up at Kamoi in Elgeyo Marakwet which is known for its hilly terrain before shifting to Eldoret. I can say that I’m in good shape,” said Korir.
He added that since his elder brother Wesley Korir, a retired athlete, competed in the race before, he has given him tips about the course and he believes he will perform well.
“I’m lucky because my brother ran the Chicago Marathon when he was an active athlete and he has been guiding me on how to race on this course. He will personally be there to give me support during the race and I just want to run well and make him proud,” he said.
Milano Marathon Champion Vivian Kiplagat, trains at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on September 26, 2022 in preparation for Chicago Marathon slated for this Sunday.
In the women category, three-time Milano Marathon Vivian Kiplagat, who trains at Kapsait Athletics Training Club in Elgeyo-Marakwet County will also be seeking the big prize as he comes face-to-face with defending champion Ruth Chepng’etich.
Incidentally, the two are under Rosa Associati management.
Also in the mix as another Kenyan, Celestine Chepchirchir.
Kiplagat said that after winning Milano Marathon in April in a personal best time of 2:20:18 she was in great shape physically and mentally.
“I’m focused on the race which I know will be fast and if the weather conditions are favourable, I want to run a personal best,” said Kiplagat.
Kiplagat won the 2018 Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii in 2:36:22, and the 2019 Abu Dhabi Marathon with a personal best time of 2:21:11. This was a massive minute inside her winning time in the Milano Marathon that year.
