Two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion John Korir returns to the Boilermaker 15K road race on Sunday, itching to go one step better after finishing second to Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer last year.
Korir will use the race to gauge his body ahead of the Chicago Marathon on October 13.
“I am heading there to win the race after missing out last year,” said Korir. “I am well prepared. This will be a big event for me.”
Korir, a younger brother to former Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir, added: “I will use it as part of my speed work and endurance training for the Chicago Marathon. Chicago is no joke but a real battle for the title since it attracts top marathoners.”
Korir spoke at the Eldoret International Airport on Wednesday morning as he started his journey to the USA.
Last year, Korir finished second in 42:13 behind Yimer (42:06) as Kenya’s Charles Langat completed the podium in 42:28.
At the Chicago Marathon, Korir finished fourth in 2:05:09 in a race won by the late Kelvin Kiptum in a world marathon record time of 2:00:35.
The then defending champion, Benson Kipruto, was second in 2:04:02 as Belgium’s Bashir Abdi completed the podium in 2:04:32.
In 2022, Korir was third in 2:05:01 behind Kipruto (2:04:24) and Ethiopia’s Seif Tura 2:04:49.
