Korir sets his sights on breaking the sub-2:01 barrier after a stunning performance in Boston

Image: Charles Krupa/AP

John Korir, fresh off his second World Marathon Major victory in Boston, is now aiming for a historic achievement—becoming just the second athlete to break the elusive 2:01 mark in the marathon.

Kelvin Kiptum remains the only runner to have officially shattered the barrier, clocking an astonishing 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, a record that still stands. Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge came close with his 2:01:09 win in Berlin in 2022, while Ethiopian greats Kenenisa Bekele (2:01:41, Berlin 2019) and Sisay Lemma (2:01:48, Valencia 2023) also rank among the fastest ever.

Although Kipchoge ran an unofficial sub-two-hour marathon (1:59:40) at the 2019 INEOS 1:59 Challenge, no one else has managed a sub-2:01 performance in a record-eligible race—yet.

Korir, the eighth-fastest marathoner in history thanks to his 2:02:44 win in Chicago last year, has set a bold goal for 2025. Speaking exclusively to the Star, he shared his ambition of running a sub-2:01 marathon in the months ahead.

"Winning Boston was a big boost for me. It has given me a lot of confidence. My goal for the rest of the year is to run under 2:01," Korir said.

When asked if he's targeting Kiptum’s world record, Korir remained measured but ambitious.

"I'm not saying I'm going to attack the world record, but it's something that's on my mind," he admitted.

Feeling strong after Boston, Korir believes he’s physically ready to push his limits.

"My body is in great shape, and I’m confident I can reach my target," he said.

Currently easing back into training with light gym work and evening 15km jogs, Korir plans to ramp up his workouts soon.

"After Boston, I took time to recover, but now I’m slowly returning to training. I’ll begin intensive sessions next week," he revealed.

One major decision looms—whether to defend his Chicago title or compete for Kenya at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

"I haven't decided yet. I have two options—the Chicago Marathon or the World Championships. I've been approached about representing Kenya in Tokyo, but I also want to defend my Chicago crown. I'll wait for advice from my brother Wesley and my manager," he explained.

Korir’s Boston win, clocking 2:04:45, was historic—not just for the victory itself, but for family legacy. He and his brother Wesley became the first siblings to win Boston Marathon titles, Wesley having claimed victory in 2012.

"It feels amazing that the Korir family made history, even though our wins came 11 years apart," Korir said proudly.

His triumph was even more remarkable after a dramatic start—he fell early in the race after being clipped from behind but refused to let the setback shake him.

"I got clipped and fell, hurting myself, but I didn’t let it affect me. I pushed hard to show the world that you can always get back up and succeed, no matter the challenges," he reflected.

Korir executed his Boston strategy flawlessly, breaking away from the leading pack at the 32km mark with a well-timed surge.

"My plan was to be patient and make my move at 30km," he said, summing up a masterful performance that sets the stage for even greater ambitions ahead.