After his second World Marathon Major title in Boston, rising road racing star John Korir has set his sights on a new frontier—becoming only the second man in history to dip under the 2:01 mark over the 42km distance.

The late Kelvin Kiptum remains the only man to have officially broken the barrier, clocking a staggering 2:00:35 en route to victory at the 2023 Chicago Marathon—a time that still stands as the world record.

Korir’s victory in Boston was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite an early fall, he surged ahead with a decisive move just before the 20-mile mark, breaking apart what had been an eight-man pack and never looking back. He crossed the finish line in 2:04:45, marking the fastest winning time since Geoffrey Mutai set the course record of 2:03:02 in 2011.

Building on his 2024 Chicago Marathon win, Korir now joins his brother Wesley as a Boston Marathon champion, solidifying his place in marathon history.

With Kiptum’s world record still standing, Korir’s recent performances suggest he may be the next athlete poised to challenge the elusive sub-2:01 barrier. As the marathon world watches closely, the question remains: will Korir be the one to rewrite the record books?