A 4:23 mile is faster than most American high school boys will run in their high school track career.
John Korir averaged 4:41 per mile over 26.2 miles, running the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:02:44, the second-fastest time ever on the streets of Chicago.
Running with ten of the best male marathoners in the world, reaching the half marathon in 1:02:19 (14:43 for 5k, 29:27 for 10k, 44:15 for 15k and 59:03 for 20k for, the package). was merciless.
The weather, 60 degrees outside, midwest humidity and a 10 mph northwest wind made for great conditions for the runners.
Leading the way was John Korir, the younger brother of Boston and Los Angeles Marathon champion Wesley Korir, who won twice in Los Angeles. Amos Kipruto, a 2:03:13 PB; Vincent Ngetich, a 2:03:13 PB; Huseydin Esa, a 2:05:05 PB; and debut marathoner Daniel Ebenyo, who ran 27:11 on the track and was the 2023 Budapest silver medalist in the 10,000m. Oh, and we haven’t even talked about two-time Tokyo champion Birhanu Legesse.
The pacers did their job and passed the pack in 1:02:19, 25k 1:3, 47 and 30k 1:28:18.
The race changed after 20 miles with seven men in contention.
At mile 22, John Korir, whose coach Ron Mann, one of the most respected coaches in American distance running, had told John he could run a 2:02, a three-minute PB, started playing his cards. First, Wesley Korir’s younger brother ran a 4:23 mile; At mile 24, he ran 4:26. That 5k was covered in 14:01 and he went from a thirty second lead in the 35k to a 90 second lead in the 40k.
John Korir told the assembled media that his brother Wesley told him. “Be patient, believe in yourself and believe in God.” After the race, this writer alerted John Corry that he now held the family record (Wesley ran 2:06:13) with his fine 2:02:44; John smiled, but didn’t mock his brother or brag about his accomplishments to his brother.
“Wesley Korir is a bit more fun,” notes Jordan Gunter, a longtime Kenyan observer. “John Korir is a bit more for himself.”
John Corrier’s win earns him $100,000 in cash for the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
John also just ran the second-fastest time on the Chicago course behind only the late Calvin Kiptum, who ran a WR 2:00:53 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon and then died in a car accident with his coach in February. 2024, changing the sport forever.
Ethiopia’s Huseydin Mohammed Esa finished second in 2:04:39, just eleven seconds behind Kenya’s Amos Kipruto in 2:04:50.
The top American was CJ Albertson, who ran alongside Zach Penning before Zach faded a bit in the final two miles. Albertson ran 2:08:14, a new PB. I passed Zach at 24 miles and did so leisurely. I didn’t want him to react,” said CJ, who admitted his last four miles were tough. CJ finished seventh overall.
CJ Albertson told the assembled media that he would do a short run tonight as he competes in the New York City Marathon in three weeks. I was the first American man in Boston and now in Chicago. I want to be the first American in New York, but that race will be much tougher.”
Zach Penning was tenth in a PB of 2:09:16.
The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon showcased course speed in the Windy City, organization and management, the craft of putting together a good field and taking care of elite athletes (Credit to Tracy Wilson).
To put things into perspective, John Korir is faster than Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele and Paul Tergat on the Chicago course.
A rather happy Kerry Pinkowski reminded the media, light-heartedly, but in all seriousness, that John Korir is the real deal and to watch how fast this young man goes in the future.
2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Men Top 101. John Korir, Kenya, 2:02.44, 2. Mohammed Essa, ETH, 2:04:39, 3. Amos Kipruto, KEN, 2:04.:50, 4. Vincent Ngetich, KEN, 2:05. 16, 5. Daniel Ebenyo, KEN, debut, 2:06:04, 6. Kyohei Hosoya, JPN, 2:07:20, 7. CJ Albertson, USA, 2:08:17 PB, 8. Toshiki Sadakata, JPN . , 2:08.22, 9. Alex Masai, KEN, 2:08:51, 10. Zach Panning, USA, 2:09:16 PB.
