In a story titled “Unreal! John Korir Destroys 15-Year-Old Boston Marathon Course Record, Running 2:01:52” published yesterday, it was reported that Korir defended his title from 2025, winning by nearly a minute.
For the second consecutive year, John Korir surged in the Newton hills and ran unchallenged over the final 10K to win the Boston Marathon. The Kenyan bettered not only his winning time from last year but also the course record with his 2:01:52. Korir took an astounding 1 minute and 10 seconds off of the previous course record of 2:03:02, set by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai in 2011 when runners enjoyed a strong tailwind for much of the race…
Korir ran patiently early in the race as Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer and Americans Ryan Ford and Alex Maier most often fronted the pack. The pace was solidly in the 2:03 range early on, but the more difficult part of the course was still to come.
Korir’s first real move was to reel in Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu, the 2016 Boston winner who surprisingly took the lead just before halfway, which he passed in 61:43. Korir overtook Berhanu three minutes later, then eased back, allowing Milkesa Mengehsa, Talbi, and a few others to join them. Boston first-timer Mengesha then took a solo lead early in the Newton hills, but Korir easily chased him down in the 20th mile. A 21st mile of 4:36—which includes Heartbreak Hill!—gave Korir a solo lead that he only increased to the end.
Korir earned $150,000 for his win and a $50,000 bonus for breaking the course record.
And, you know, in the same way Korir’s patience paid off in breaking the course record and claiming the prize, our patience pays off in the form of deeper faith and a greater trust in God.
You see, as David clearly understood, every believer will (not might) go through difficult parts in their spiritual race. And when (not if) they do, they have two choices… they can sprint ahead and do what seems right to them (but in the end leads to death) or patiently wait upon the Lord, knowing that He hears their cry.
And while this patient waiting can be difficult at times, it helps to remember that the cry of a believer is so precious to the Lord that He inclines His ear for their sakes, not for His. After all, the God of the universe is not hard of hearing. The deep love that God shows for us in this simple act helps us to also remain patient when the answers we seek or the deliverance we pray for is either detoured, delayed or denied, knowing that the God who hears us will direct us to the path that’s best for us.
So, if you're running through a difficult part of life's course today, don't give up my friend--and don't lean on your own understanding. Patiently wait on the Lord and follow the path He has laid out for you. Your patience will pay off when you keep the faith and claim the "imperishable crown" that awaits all those who trust God, press on and finish the race.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making it abundantly clear that You hear us when we cry and that You care for us. Help us to understand this Lord when we can't comprehend the detours, delays, and denials of this life. Help us to continue running the path that's laid out by You until we reach the end. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
For the second consecutive year, John Korir surged in the Newton hills and ran unchallenged over the final 10K to win the Boston Marathon. The Kenyan bettered not only his winning time from last year but also the course record with his 2:01:52. Korir took an astounding 1 minute and 10 seconds off of the previous course record of 2:03:02, set by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai in 2011 when runners enjoyed a strong tailwind for much of the race…
Korir ran patiently early in the race as Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer and Americans Ryan Ford and Alex Maier most often fronted the pack. The pace was solidly in the 2:03 range early on, but the more difficult part of the course was still to come.
Korir’s first real move was to reel in Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu, the 2016 Boston winner who surprisingly took the lead just before halfway, which he passed in 61:43. Korir overtook Berhanu three minutes later, then eased back, allowing Milkesa Mengehsa, Talbi, and a few others to join them. Boston first-timer Mengesha then took a solo lead early in the Newton hills, but Korir easily chased him down in the 20th mile. A 21st mile of 4:36—which includes Heartbreak Hill!—gave Korir a solo lead that he only increased to the end.
Korir earned $150,000 for his win and a $50,000 bonus for breaking the course record.
And, you know, in the same way Korir’s patience paid off in breaking the course record and claiming the prize, our patience pays off in the form of deeper faith and a greater trust in God.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12
You see, as David clearly understood, every believer will (not might) go through difficult parts in their spiritual race. And when (not if) they do, they have two choices… they can sprint ahead and do what seems right to them (but in the end leads to death) or patiently wait upon the Lord, knowing that He hears their cry.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
And while this patient waiting can be difficult at times, it helps to remember that the cry of a believer is so precious to the Lord that He inclines His ear for their sakes, not for His. After all, the God of the universe is not hard of hearing. The deep love that God shows for us in this simple act helps us to also remain patient when the answers we seek or the deliverance we pray for is either detoured, delayed or denied, knowing that the God who hears us will direct us to the path that’s best for us.
"And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 1 Corinthians 9:25
So, if you're running through a difficult part of life's course today, don't give up my friend--and don't lean on your own understanding. Patiently wait on the Lord and follow the path He has laid out for you. Your patience will pay off when you keep the faith and claim the "imperishable crown" that awaits all those who trust God, press on and finish the race.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making it abundantly clear that You hear us when we cry and that You care for us. Help us to understand this Lord when we can't comprehend the detours, delays, and denials of this life. Help us to continue running the path that's laid out by You until we reach the end. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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