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John Korir overcame an early fall to win the 2025 Boston Marathon
The Kenyan adds the Boston Marathon to his 2024 win in Chicago.
Kenya’s John Korir built his 2025 Boston Marathon win from the ground up, surviving an early fall to eventually break the tape first at the 129th edition of the historic race.
Korir, 28, added Boston to his list of World Marathon Major wins, finishing with a time of 2:04:45. It’s the second-fastest winning time in the Boston Marathon since Geoffrey Mutai won in 2011 with a time of 2:03:02.
That Korir fought his way to a victory was especially notable, considering that his race began in about the worst possible way it could’ve. Shortly after springing out of the start line, Korir tripped and fell (as captured on video and posted to social media).
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But despite appearing to lose his bib in the fall, Korir got back on his feet and quickly caught up with the leading pack. He survived some early designs from other favorites jockeying for position and attempting to set various tempos.
By the time he reached Mile 20 (and Mile 21), Korir unleashed his aggressive attack. Storming ahead of the other favorites, he put a gap between himself and the field. In the two crucial miles, he ran 4:41 and 4:40. This period of the course included the dreaded Heartbreak Hill, which Korir used to help create separation with the other challengers.
This is another major win for Korir, who also won the 2024 Chicago Marathon in 2:02:44, the eighth fastest marathon time in history.
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Korir’s brother, Wesley, also won the Boston Marathon (doing so in 2012 with a time of 2:12:40). They are officially the first set of brothers to have won in Boston.
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