by Larry Eder
A 4:23 mile is faster than most American high school boys will accomplish in their high school track careers.
John Korir averaged 4:41 per mile for 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 finest male marathoners in the world, hitting the half marathon in 1:02:19 (14:43 for 5k, 29:27 for 10k, 44:15 for 15k, and 59:03 for 20k, the pack was relentless.
The weather—60 degrees outside, Midwestern humidity, and a wind out of the Northwest at 10 miles per hour—gave the runners wonderful conditions.
Upfront were John Korir, younger brother of Boston and LA Marathon champion Wesley Korir, who has won LA twice himself; 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 has run 27:11 on the track and was 2023 Budapest silver medalist at the 10,000m. Oh, and we did not even talk about two-time Tokyo champion Birhanu Legesse.
The pacemakers did their work and took the pack through 1:02:19, 25k at 1:3, 47, and 30k at 1:28:18.
The race changed after 20 miles, where seven men were in contention.
At 22 miles, John Korir, whose coach, Ron Mann, one of the most respected coaches in American distance running, had told John he could run 2:02, a three-minute PB, started to play his cards. First, the younger brother of Wesley Korir ran a 4:23 mile; at mile 24, he ran a 4:26. That 5k was covered in 14:01, and he went from a thirty-second lead at 35k to 90 seconds at 40k!
John Korir told the assembled media that his brother Wesley had told him to “Be Patient, believe in yourself, and believe in God.” After the race, this writer alerted John Korir that he now had the family record (Wesley had run 2:06:13) with his fine 2:02:44; John smiled but would not tease his brother nor brag to his brother about his achievement.
“Wesley Korir is a bit more jovial, ” noted Jordan Guenther, a long-time Kenyan running observer. ” John Korir is a little more to himself.”
John Korir’s win gives him $100,000 U.S. as a fine prize from the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
John also had just run the second fastest time EVER on the Chicago course, only behind the late Kelvin Kiptum, who had run the WR 2:00:53 in the 2023 Chicago Marathon and was subsequently killed in an auto accident with his coach in February 2024, changing the sport forever.
Huseydind Mohammed Esa, Ethiopia, took second in 2:04:39, with Amos Kipruto, Kenya, only eleven seconds back in 2:04:50!
The top American was CJ Albertson, who had run in tandem with Zach Panning prior to Zach fading a bit over the last two miles. Albertson ran 2:08:14, a new PB. ” I passed Zach at 24 miles, and I did it quietly; I did not want him to react, ” noted CJ, who admitted his last four miles were challenging. CJ finished seventh overall.
CJ Albertson told the assembled media he would do a short run tonight, as he is racing the NYC Marathon in three weeks! ” I was the first American male in Boston and now Chicago. I want to be the first American in NYC, but that race will be much tougher.”
Zach Panning was tenth in a PB of 2:09:16.
The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon showcased the speed of the course in the Windy City, the organization and management, and the craft of putting together fine fields and taking care of the elite athletes (Kudos to Tracy Wilson).
To put it all in perspective, John Korir is faster than Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, and Paul Tergat on the Chicago course!
A quite happy Carey Pinkowski reminded the media, lightheartedly but in all seriousness, that John Korir is the real thing and to watch how fast this young man goes in the future!
2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Men, top 10, 1. John Korir, KENYA, 2:02.44, 2. Mohammed Esa, 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, US, 2:09:16 PB
