“Wonder & Amazement”,
Wesley Korir, 2012 BAA Marathon Champion, photo by PhotoRun.net
The battle fought on the streets of Boston in April 2012 was hot, humid and horrific. Welsey Korir somehow stayed together and won the race over a tremendous field. In Chicago, Wesley ran in the coolest conditions of his career, and, while not winning, ran a personal best of 2:06.13.
Thanks to his manager, Karen Locke, we sent Wesley five questions about his racing, his life and his philosophy of running.
Wesley Korir, 2012 Boston Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net
RBR, # 1. You said that running a pb in the cold was a good thing for you, why?
Wesley Korir: Larry, if you take a look, my best marathon performances have been the result of hot temperatures: Chicago 2011, Los Angeles 2009, 2010, Boston 2012.
RBR, # 2. Tell us about the Chicago race?
Wesley Korir: The blessing is that I never felt a real groove, but to come away with a personal best provides some satisfaction.
RBR, # 3. You have had superb races in 2012, how has your training been?
Wesley Korir: Thank you. I’m healthy, fitter than ever at this moment. I feel recovered.
RBR, # 4. Tell us about your family?
Wesley Korir: My wife Tarah is a runner who I met while attending Louisville. I liked her the moment I met her. We have a two year old girl named McKayla.
RBR, #5: Where will we see you next?
Wesley Korir: My coach, Ron Mann, likes the idea of the 2013 NYC Half Marathon. I also ran a 1/2 marathon PR this year in New York. I was ill and the result was pivotal during heavy training.
Dathan Ritzenhein, Wesley Korir, resting,
photo by Karen Locke