Two-time Boston Marathon champion John Korir says he is chasing his own slice of history on December 6, revealing that he is working towards breaking the two-hour barrier at the Valencia Marathon.
The Valencia course is widely regarded as one of the fastest marathon circuits in the world, making it the ideal stage for another assault on distance-running history.
In April, Sebastian Sawe took the marathon into new territory by becoming the first man to officially break two hours over 42km, storming to the London Marathon title in 1:59:30. Korir believes he has enough in the tank to follow that trailblazing feat. “Any time I get in Valencia I will be happy with, but my prayer is to run sub-two hours,” Korir said in an exclusive interview.
The 29-year-old returns to Spain as the defending champion after producing a commanding performance in last year’s race. Korir surged to victory in 2:02:24, pulling clear of Germany’s Amanal Petros, who finished second in 2:04:03, while Norway’s Awet Nftalem Kibrab completed the podium in 2:04:24.
The distance ace says he is leaving nothing to chance as he fine-tunes his build-up for another title charge. “My preparation for Valencia is going well.”
“I do 45 to 48 kilometres a day and 250 to 270 kilometres per week,” Korir remarked. His training revolves around sharpening the two pillars of marathon excellence, speed and endurance.
“I have been focusing on both speed and endurance,” he added. Standing between Korir and a successful title defence is Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, the second-fastest marathoner in history. Kejelcha also dipped under two hours in London, clocking 1:59:41 to finish runner-up behind Sawe, setting the stage for a mouthwatering showdown in Valencia.
With two fast marathoners headlining the race, speculation has already begun over whether Sawe’s historic mark could come under threat. However, Korir is refusing to get carried away.
“For now I cannot talk about what I will be going for in Valencia, but I am praying to God for good health and to be injury-free,” he said. Korir heads into the race riding a wave of confidence after a blistering start to his 2026 campaign.
He opened the season by winning the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on February 14, claiming the men’s 10km crown in 29:44 ahead of Amos Kiprotich (29:46) and Silas Senchura, who finished third in the same time.
He then underlined his remarkable form at the Boston Marathon on April 20, smashing the course record and setting a lifetime best of 2:01:52. Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu followed in 2:02:47, while Benson Kipruto completed the podium in 2:02:50.
Korir will, however, have to dig deep to hold off a ferocious Kejelcha, who arrives in Valencia fresh from obliterating the half marathon world record in Buenos Aires last month with a stunning 56:51. Adding even more firepower to the elite men’s field is 2024 London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao.
Munyao has fond memories of Valencia, where he posted his personal best of 2:03:11 to finish second in 2023. He also secured another podium finish in 2022 after clocking 2:03:29.
