Boston Marathon Champion To Return For Bank Of America Chicago Marathon
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir will be running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this year.
Marathon officials announced Korir Wednesday as the first elite athlete for the marathon, which is set for Sunday, Oct. 7.
Korir is a native of Kenya who currently lives in Louisville, Ky. He was a runner-up at the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a personal best of 2:06:15, according to Marathon officials.
But Korir was considered an underdog when he ran the Boston Marathon this spring, and rallied from nearly a minute behind with just five miles to go as he won the race.
Korir has been running with the Chicago Marathon for several years. He paid his own way into the open field in 2008 and started the race five minutes behind the elite athletes, but still chalked up the fourth fastest time for the whole race at 2:13:53.
In 2009, Korir returned as a member of the elite field, and came in at 2:10:38. In 2010, he came in at 2:08:44.
"The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is where I started my professional career and I am honored to return to this year's race, especially after winning the Boston Marathon," Korir said in a news release. "I love the city of Chicago. It's close to Louisville and I always have a large group of friends who drive up to cheer for me, which makes me feel at home along with the support from the local fans and volunteers. I come to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this year full of confidence that no matter who is in the field, they will have to beat me to win it."
Korir has also won two Los Angeles marathons.
