John Korir has no pressure as he heads to defend his Los Angeles marathon set for this Sunday in the United States of America.
Korir, the young brother of former Boston marathon Wesley Korir, won the Los Angeles marathon last year to keep the family legacy and dominance in the race.
The second last born in the Korir family won the race in which his brother Wesley Korir won a double, which he says he received the baton well to maintain the family legacy in the American soil when he timed 2:12.47 beating compatriot Edwin Kimutai to second in 2:18.01 and Ethiopian Amanuel Mesei Tikue completing the podium in 2:18.17.
“Am heading to the race with hopes of defending my title. As I head there, I have no pressure at all since I have been training well back home in the Birbiriet area in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County,” said Korir on Wednesday on his way to the airport for Sunday’s race.
However, he admitted that he had little time in preparing for the race after finishing second at the Houston Half marathon.
“My training and preparation has been good though I had little time in preparing for the race after the Houston half marathon where I finished second,” said Korir as he makes his 4th marathon career.
The youthful runner finished second at the 2019 and 2020 Los Angeles race before it was postponed in 2020 as he hopes to keep the family name and build a high profile since no one is behind to take over the reign.
“It was good to keep the family name on the winners list of Los Angeles that has been dominated by my brother. The win was not easy but I had to run well and improve on my last event’s position,” said Korir.
Wesley won the title in 2009 and defended the following year in 2:08.24 and 2:09.19 and Korir is planning to do the same next year.
“Right now I am in good form to defend my title though it will be one of the most competitive races. This will be a good race after I set my preparations alongside Edwin Kibichii,” he added.
The 2021 race was his maiden marathon win after dominating many half marathons across the world. He was second at the Ottawa marathon in 2019 and second at the Kentucky race.