Sammy Korir

Sammy Korir (born December 12, 1971) is a long-distance runner from Kenya, who raced into the history books as only the second man ever to run under 2 hours, 5 minutes, when he finished second in the Berlin Marathon on September 28, 2003: 2:04:56. Korir was beaten by his countryman and the new world record holder Paul Tergat by one second. ^{[1] [2]}

The description that has followed Korir around ever since that Sunday in September, 2003, is that of the second fastest marathoner in history. A member of the same training group as Paul Tergat in Kenya, Korir was originally engaged as a pacesetter for Berlin that year but felt stronger as the race went on. So strong, in fact, that it was all-out competition between the duo through the Brandenburg Gate and across the finish line with only a second between them.

He’d had plenty of experience at the marathon prior to Berlin, winning often enough to be cast as the kind of runner race promoters would choose to produce a consistent performance. In London the next year he was vying for the win with compatriot Evans Rutto when the former slipped on a corner after rain, bringing Korir down with him. Both recovered but Korir, coached by Italian Gabriele Rosa, finished runner-up once again.

Marathon achievements

References

1. ^ Marathon world best progression
2. ^ Tergat goes under 2:05 in Berlin - IAAF

External links

• Profile MarathonMajors

Sporting positions
Preceded by Joseph Chebet	Amsterdam Men's Marathon Winner 1997 – 1998	Succeeded by Fred Kiprop
Preceded by John Kagwe	San Diego Men's Marathon Winner 2002	Succeeded by Osoro Ondoro
Preceded by Jimmy Muindi	Rotterdam Men's Marathon Winner 2006	Succeeded by Joshua Chelanga

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