Six months following his victory at the Chicago Marathon, John Korir participated in his third Boston Marathon, feeling optimistic about his chances for a strong finish. After narrowly missing a top-three spot the previous year, the 28-year-old Kenyan sought guidance from his older brother and former champion, Wesley Korir, as he prepared for this year’s race.
Wesley Korir, who claimed victory in the 2012 Boston Marathon, advised John to anticipate the race’s challenges and maintain confidence in his abilities. This sage advice propelled John Korir into the annals of Boston Marathon history, alongside his brother.
John Korir completed the grueling 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Boston’s Copley Square in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 45 seconds, marking the second-fastest winning time in the marathon’s history. Upon crossing the finish line, he was warmly embraced by Wesley, who had been eagerly awaiting his brother’s arrival at Boylston Street.
The Korir brothers made history as the first set of siblings or relatives to win the Boston Marathon. Following closely behind were Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania and Cybrian Kotut of Kenya, both finishing at 2:05:04, with Simbu securing second place after a photo finish. Conner Mantz of Provo, Utah, who had been in contention, ultimately finished fourth in 2:05:08 after being outpaced by Simbu and Kotut.
Despite a near accident at the start where Korir stumbled and almost lost his race bib, he managed to recover and secure victory. This win came after his previous fourth-place finish last year and ninth place in 2023, marking his only other Boston Marathon attempts. For his triumph, Korir earned a prize of $150,000.
Wesley Korir had previously used his Boston winnings to build a hospital in Kenya, and John has pledged to contribute part of his prize to the Transcend Talent Academy, an institution supporting aspiring runners in need of educational assistance. Wesley has also been involved with this school.
Sisay Lemma from Ethiopia, the previous year’s champion, initially led the race but could not maintain his pace and withdrew around the 17-mile mark due to a possible leg injury. Rory Linkletter of Canada led a group of ten runners at the halfway point, but Mantz took the lead around Mile 16 until Korir surged ahead around Heartbreak Hill, gaining a significant lead.
Korir’s strategic move at the 20-mile mark proved decisive, allowing him to build a nearly minute-long lead as he approached the iconic Citgo sign near Fenway Park with just a mile remaining. Mantz was still in the running for a podium finish until the final stretch when he was overtaken by Simbu and Kotut.
The day ultimately belonged to John Korir, who shared a heartfelt moment with his brother after the race. Reflecting on their embrace, John expressed the pride he felt, acknowledging their shared accomplishment as the first brothers to win the Boston Marathon.
