John Korir of Kenya has achieved a long-anticipated victory at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, crossing the finish line with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 44 seconds. This personal best time not only secured Korir his first Chicago title but also ranked as the second-fastest marathon finish in history, trailing only the world record set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
For Korir, this win represents years of perseverance and hard work. In the previous two editions of the Chicago Marathon, Korir finished just shy of the top, placing third in 2022 and fourth in 2023—despite running some of the fastest races of his career. This time, he finally stood on top of the podium.
“We came here with the goal of winning,” Korir shared with NBC Chicago after his win. “It wasn’t about breaking records, but my brother and coach encouraged me to believe in myself, and that confidence made the difference.”
Korir’s marathon career began in 2018 with a second-place finish in Ottawa, where he clocked 2:09:14. His first major marathon victories came in 2021 and 2022 when he triumphed at the Los Angeles Marathon in back-to-back years. However, it was Chicago that had remained elusive—until now.
By capturing the 2024 title in such spectacular fashion, Korir has cemented his legacy as one of the top marathoners in the world. His determination and steady progress over the years have led to a victory that will be remembered as much for its speed as for its significance in his career.
