NAIROBI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's John Kosgei Korir will be keen to step out of his brother's shadow when he lines up at the Toronto Marathon on October 21.
Kosgei is the younger brother of former Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir, and he is out to make his own way in the marathon.
Toronto will be his second marathon after his debut in Ottawa saw him claim the silver medal behind Ethiopia's Yemane Tsegay, in the process registering a personal best time of 2:09:14.
"My goal in Toronto is to use my experience in Ottawa and be able to win it and, if weather permits, run a fast time," Korir said in Nairobi on Thursday.
In order to deflect attention from his elder brother, Korir has adopted the name Kosgei and would like to be known by it as he builds his marathon career.
Despite wishing to step out of his shadow, Kosgei acknowledges that his successful start is largely down to his brother's counsel.
"The advice Wesley gave me before the race was when you start feeling pain, know that everyone else is feeling the same pain," said Kosgei. "Just know that the person who wins the race is the one who fights the pain the most."
In Toronto, 22-year-old Kosgei will be up against defending champion Philemon Rono, who is attempting to win his third consecutive victory in Canada's largest city.
"I do wish to represent my country in the Olympics one day," said Kosgei. "I am still young and I am just getting started in my running career. And I wish to continue the legacy of my brother by helping others through my running."
Until his marathon debut, very few knew of the younger Korir's ability. He accompanied Wesley to Louisville, Kentucky where the two trained together under the watchful eye of coach Ron Mann.
That was the younger brother's first trip outside Kenya. The rest is history.
