Albert Korir
Personal Bests
Marathon
2:06:57
11/5/2023
Half Marathon
1:09:13
5/18/2014
Marathon
2:06:57
11/5/2023
Half Marathon
1:09:13
5/18/2014
Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMA
It's been a dramatic week in the world of distance running and Michael and Jessy are here to break it all down.
The biggest headline: Conner Mantz, the American marathon record holder who was one of the most anticipated starters at this year's Boston Marathon, has officially withdrawn with a stress-related injury. It's a significant blow ahead of what was shaping up to be one of the most exciting Boston fields in years.
On a more uplifting note, BYU freshman Jane Hedengren continues to rewrite the record books — this time at Stanford, where she clocked 30:46.8 in the 10,000 meters in her very first attempt at the distance, shattering the NCAA Women's record and slotting in at number seven on the US all-time list. She's 18 years old. Remember her name.
It was also a huge weekend for 5K records. French star Jimmy Gressier ran 12:51 in León — just two seconds shy of the world record — and set a new European Road 5K mark in the process. Meanwhile, 62-year-old Clare Elms did something arguably even more remarkable, running 17:45 to smash her own age group world record by 20 seconds. Her age-graded score? 104%. Yes, really.
Then there's the story that genuinely stopped us in our tracks: Clarke Reynolds, a 45-year-old runner from England with just 5% vision, is preparing to run the Brighton Marathon on April 12th guided entirely by remote volunteers via RayBan Meta smart glasses and the Be My Eyes app — with no in-person guide alongside him. It's a genuine world first, and we're already planning a follow-up with Clarke after the race.
And the episode closes on a frustrating note. Albert Korir, the 2021 NYC Marathon champion, has been handed a five-year ban after testing positive three times for CERA: a synthetic blood booster in the same family as EPO. All his results from October 2025 onwards are disqualified, though he retains his 2021 title. It's another painful reminder of the doping cloud still hanging over elite distance running.
A relatively quiet weekend in track, though there’s still plenty to dig into with Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber, and Preet Majithia.
In this week’s episode:
- Preet’s pandemic-era haircut savings
- McKirdy MicrOTQ recap: Kyle paced Thomas Knobbs to a 2:09.24 — the fourth-fastest Canadian of all time — then helped the women’s qualifying group
- The race start had a fascinating start: single-file starts, chip timing
- 14 men and 11 women earn Olympic Trials qualifying standards
- Sound Running 10K
- The 2027 Beijing 10K standard: Why World Athletics still hasn’t announced it?
- Maurie Plant Meet: Lachlan Kennedy beats Gout Gout again
- Claudia Hollingsworth beats world indoor champ Georgia Hunter Bell in the women’s 1500 — Is this the year she announces herself?
- Cameron Myers runs 3:30 and wins by a lot — why wasn’t he at World Indoors?
- Embrace debate: of Hollingsworth, Gout Gout, and Myers: Who has the best shot at Olympic gold in Brisbane?
- The Pure Athletics vs. Star Athletics tension is real and it’s good for the sport
- Josh Kerr and Project 222: 3:42 mile world record attempt at the London Diamond League on July 18th
- What happens if Cole Hocker breaks the record two weeks earlier at Pre-Classic?
- Albert Korir gets a five-year doping ban, Patrick Dever moves to the podium
- Conner Mantz scratches from the Boston Marathon
- Why Kyle is most impressed by Clayton Young’s altitude long run
- Cynthia Erivo will run the London Marathon after performing two shows of a one-woman Dracula the day before
- Harry Styles marathon watch
- Marileidy Paulino runs 2:04 in the 800, Dalilah Muhammad is very much not retired
- What’s coming on the podcast feed
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Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez + Preet Majithia | @preet_athletics + Kyle Merber | @kylemerber
Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr
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Come to our LIVE SHOW in Boston! Join Alex, Katelyn and Michael and some very special guests, + giveaways and prizes!📅 Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m📍 Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street 🎟️ It’s free to attend, but make sure to RSVP now, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/sFk28hfMYznrsNxMABoston Article:https://marathonhandbook.com/could-boston-marathons-qualifier-problem-be-solved-by-going-two-days/
Michael and Jessy are back with the top five running stories of the week — and there's a lot to unpack. Before they dive in, a quick celebration: Jessie ran her debut half marathon over the weekend, clocking a 1:34 after just six weeks of run training. Not bad for a professional cyclist.
Story 1: London Marathon Eyes 100,000-Runner, Two-Day EventThe Guardian has reported that the London Marathon could expand to a two-day, 100,000-runner event as early as 2027. The proposal would see the men's and women's elite races split across Saturday and Sunday, each with 50,000 mass participants. With 1.1 million ballot applicants this year and London's status as the world's largest single-day charity fundraiser, the upside is enormous — but the logistical hurdles are just as big. London Marathon Events has not confirmed or denied the report.
Story 2: Emma Bates Claims She Was Dropped by Sponsor for Being PregnantIn an Instagram video, American elite marathoner Emma Bates revealed that her nutrition sponsor UCAN ended their partnership after she told them she was pregnant. UCAN pushed back, saying the decision was made in September 2025 — before they knew about the pregnancy — as part of a broader strategic shift away from elite athlete sponsorships. With no clear evidence either way, it's a he said/she said story that has stirred significant debate in the running community.
Story 3: US Half Marathon Championship Controversy Gets More ComplicatedFollowing the Atlanta debacle where lead runners Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Edna Ker were sent off course during the US Half Marathon Championships, World Athletics has approved a one-time expanded entry of seven athletes (up from four) for the World Half Marathon Championships this fall. The catch: there will be an A team (four scoring runners) and a B team (three non-scoring runners wearing different kits). The big unresolved question — who earns the A team spots? Michael and Jessie weigh in.
🎙️ Listen out this weekend for Alex Cyr's exclusive one-on-one interview with Jess McClain — her first time speaking publicly about the Atlanta controversy.
Story 4: Modesto Marathon Winner Disqualified After Lead Bike ErrorBenjamin Enowitz crossed the finish line first at the Modesto Marathon in California — and was immediately handed a DNF. He'd been led short of the halfway turnaround point by the lead vehicle and didn't complete the full distance. It's not the first time the Modesto race has had a lead vehicle incident, and it's part of a wider pattern the team has noticed: course errors caused by lead vehicles are becoming a weekly story in 2026.
Story 5: Chaos at China's Shang Do World Heritage MarathonThree separate incidents at the same race in China generated headlines worldwide. First, a runner with the surname Wang stopped mid-race to do the splits and pose for photographers — earning a two-year race ban. Then, a runner named Zang was photographed carrying a clear drawstring bag stuffed with hundreds of free race gels — also disqualified and banned for two years. Finally, a third runner received a lifetime ban from the Chengdu race after a bib-swapping incident.
Breaking News (just before recording): Former New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir has reportedly tested positive for EPO or an EPO-derived substance. Full coverage next week.
Hear from the top finishers Benson Kipruto, Alexander Mutiso and Albert Korir as Kenyan runners dominate with a sweep in the NYC Marathon Men’s race! Website: http://flosports.link/3p20lTj Subscribe: http://flosports.link/3p4YLQp Get the FloSports iOS app: http://bit.ly/FloTrackiOSApp_9 Follow FloTrack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FloTrack Twitter: https://twitter.com/flotrack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FloTrack
In a fitting theme for the city of Broadway, the 53rd edition of the New York City Marathon was all about breakout stars finally getting their time in the spotlight. Both winners of the men’s and women’s elite races in NYC are frequently recurring characters near the front of major races, but neither had completed a signature performance before today.
Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won their first World Marathon Major titles by defeating fields full of former NYC champs, with Nageeye outkicking 2022 champ Evans Chebet down the homestretch and Chepkirui beating 2023 champ Hellen Obiri at her own game with a late surge through Central Park.
Time stamps:
Women’s race:
2:10 - Breaking down Sheila Chepkirui’s win
5:03 - Hellen Obiri talking a big game + reflecting on her career
13:20 - Kudos to Vivian Cheruiyot for her third place finish
16:10 - Sara Vaughn’s top American performance
19:42 - More top results: Jess McClain, Sharon Lokedi, Kellyn Taylor, Tristan Van Ord, Dakotah Popehn
22:38 - Reflecting on Jenny Simpson’s career
Men’s race:
26:47 - Breaking down Abdi Nageeye’s win
31:24 - Evans Chebet’s performance, 30th career marathon
33:18 - More top results: Albert Korir, Tamirat Tola
35:19 - Conner Mantz and Clayton Young’s races
39:45 - Kudos to CJ Albertson
More thoughts:
44:27 - 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
48:40 - Valencia Half Marathon recap
54:50 - What’s ahead on the CITIUS MAG Podcast
56:18 - Sydney Marathon becoming the newest World Marathon Major
Mentioned in this episode:
Watch: NYC Marathon Watchalong
Read: Parting Thoughts From The 2024 NYC Marathon: Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui Win + More
Listen: Jenny Simpson Reflects on Her Career from High School to 2019, Shares 2020 Plans and Hopes
Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Isaac Wood | @isaacew on Instagram
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Perfect weather conditions led to an exciting race for the men, with Abdi Nageeye finally gets his NY win, beating Evans Chebet (2022 champion), Albert Korir (2021 champion), Tamirat Tola (2023 champion), and Geoffrey Kamworor (2017 and 2019 champion). Americans had a good showing with three in the top ten (Conner Mantz 6, Clayton Young 7, CJ Albertson 10). Rory Linkletter led the charge for the Canadians with a 15th overall finish . 📹Kofuzi, @chaseflemingphoto
On this week's show, it's silly season in the track and field world with athletes switching teams and signing new contracts. The Boston Marathon unveiled its deepest fields maybe ever. The Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile and men's 800 fields were released. World Athletics has posted the schedule for all athletics action at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
3:25 – Recent athlete signings & moves: Natosha Rogers to PUMA Elite | Josette Norris to On Athletics Club | David Ribich to Union Athletics Club | Charlie Grice, Eric Avila to Very Nice Track Club | Paige Stoner, Cruz Culpepper to HOKA NAZ Elite | Stephanie Bruce unretires, re-signs with HOKA NAZ Elite
11:15 – Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile: Olli Hoare is back to defend his Wanamaker mile title after setting the indoor Australian mile record with last year's 3:50.83 victory. His biggest challengers this year include Cole Hocker, Mario Garcia Romo, Yared Nuguse, Johnny Gregorek, Sam Tanner, Sam Prakel, Neil Gourley + more.
15:57 – Millrose Games Men's 800m: Bryce Hoppel returns after last year's victory but will be up against Clayton Murphy, Noah Kibet and Cade Flatt.
18:09 – The Boston Marathon fields include Eliud Kipchoge, Evan Chebet, Benson Kipruto, Albert Korir, Daniel Do Nascimento, Conner Mantz and Scott Fauble on the men's side. There are five women with sub-2:18 marathon PRs and the big stars are Amane Beriso, Sharon Lokedi, Lonah Salpeter, Sara Hall, Gotytom Gebreslase, Emma Bates and Edna Kiplagat.
26:57 – World Athletics' 2024 Olympic schedule has all evening finals. Track and field at the Games will be held from Aug. 1 to 11.
32:58 – Buy or Sell: World Bests, World Record Pending Ratification*, Off Distances, Jake Wightman Losing, Bobby Kersee, Track Meets In Los Angeles.
42:17 – What else is happening inside CITIUS MAG
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HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Welcome to Episode #333 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. You are listening to your weekly connection to coaches, experts, and pro athletes to help you reach your endurance goals. We're your hosts coach Rich Soares and 303 Chief Bill Plock. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance interviews and discussion.
Show Sponsor: UCAN
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In Today's Show
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Endurance News:
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced more than 140 athletes will compete at the 126th Boston Marathon as part of the John Hancock Professional Athlete Team. Olympians, Paralympians, and global marathon winners will race from Hopkinton to Boston on April 18 and will be the first race held on the traditional Patriots’ Day date since 2019.
The Boston Marathon made history last year by becoming the first Abbott World Marathon Major event to offer equal $50,000 course record bonuses across open and wheelchair divisions, and the first event to provide a designated prize purse for athletes with upper limb, lower limb, and visual impairments. For the 37th year, prize money awards will be provided by principal sponsor John Hancock.
The full international field, including the Para Athletics Divisions field top contenders, can be found below.
Who Wore What? These Were the Top Shoes at the 2022 Boston Marathon
Ever since the first carbon-plated super shoes hit the roads, they’ve dominated the pro running conversation. With any speedy performance, we want to know: What latest shoe technology were they wearing?
That was certainly the case for Monday’s thrilling Boston Marathon where Peres Jepchirchir and Ababel Yeshaneh fought until the very last mile for their glory moment. In the end, it was Jepchirchir who out-kicked Yeshaneh 2:21.01 to 2:21.05.
In the context of super shoes, though, it may as well have been a head-to-head battle between Adidas and Nike, two Goliaths in the space. And though Nike had more racers finish in the top 15 wearing its shoes, the eventual 2022 Boston Marathon champion was wearing a pair of Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2’s.
Curious what the other ultra-fast women were racing in on Marathon Monday? We tracked down the 6 shoes that were worn by the top 15 women.
RELATED: American Original: Why Nell Rojas Broke Her Adidas Contract Right Before Placing 10th at Boston
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 | $220
adidas-adizero-adios
Who wore it?
Along with 2022 Boston Marathon champion, Peres Jepchirchir, fellow Kenyans Viola Cheptoo (6th place) and Joyciline Jepkosgei (7th place), and ninth place Charlotte Purdue sported the German shoe.
Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 | $250
nike-zoomx-vaporfly-2
Who wore it?
Who didn’t wear the fabled Nike super shoes? First and second runners up, Ababel Yeshaneh and Mary Wacera Ngugi sported Nikes along the Boston Marathon course, followed by fourth and fifth place runners Edna Kiplagat and Monicah Ngige. Degitu Azimeraw (8th place), Nell Rojas (10th place, first American finisher), and Bria Wetsch (15th place) round out the list of top 15 Boston finishers that raced in Nikes on Monday.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
saucony-endorphin-pro-3
Who wore it?
Malindi Elmore, the 11th place finisher, was the only top 15 competitor to sport this new style from Saucony.
HOKA Rocket X 2
close up of Stephanie Bruce's unreleased HOKA Rocket X 2 shoes from the Boston Marathon
126th Boston Marathon April 18, 2022 (Photo: Kevin Morris)
Who wore it?
Second American finisher Stephanie Bruce rocked these brand-new (not available until next year) shoes from her long-time sponsor. She came in 12th overall in 2:28:02.
RELATED: The Best Women’s Racing Shoes Available This Year
Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 | $250
brooks-hyperion-elite-3
Who wore it?
Desiree Linden finished her ninth run at the Boston Marathon in 2:28.47 in this new edition of Brooks carbon-plated super shoe.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite
puma-fast-r
Who wore it?
Minnesota-based Dakotah Lindwurm came in 14th in 2:30:42 wearing the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite, a shoe that is not yet available in America.
2022 Boston Marathon results
Women
DNF. Molly Seidel (USA)
Men
4; Gabriel Geay (TAN) — 2:07:53
DNF. Lelisa Desisa (ETH)
DNF. Birhanu Legese (ETH)
DNF. Sisay Lemma (ETH)
What's New in the 303:
Video of the Week:
5k Bike Race l Sarah Crowley & Emma Pallant-Browne 🔥
Closing:
Thanks again for listening in this week. Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!