John Korir Kipsang clinched his first ever major marathon title in Chicago, winning in a competitive field in two hours, two minutes and 43 seconds. He was superbly dominant in the race, breaking away with around 12km to go to win the race with a two-minute margin ahead of second placed Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia.
Speaking to Telecomasia.net, Korir has attributed this victory and the superb performance to the advice he received from his elder brother Wesley, a seasoned marathon runner.
Wesley, a former Member of Parliament in Kenya, competed thrice in Chicago, with a second place finish in 2011 before he went on to win Boston a year later.
Wesley gave me a lot of advice about Chicago and the course and how best to run the race. I want to dedicate this victory to him because the advice he gave me was a whole load helpful. I managed the race just as he advised me to do and I got the victory. Not just in this race, but in my career, he has really helped me a lot with advice and pushing me to achieve my best.
He now hopes the victory in Chicago will open up more opportunities for him in the major marathons, and he hopes to dominate for a long time.
After his victory, Wesley, who is now majorly based in the United States, threw his younger brother a surprise party to celebrate his achievement.
