By Jesse Welte
To many students, the idea of running a mile invokes thoughts of leg cramps and shortness of breath. For All-Big East cross country runner Wesley Korir, running a mile is hardly a warm up.
Korir, a senior biology major, made his way from Eldoret, Kenya, to the Bluegrass State more than four years ago. In Kenya, he attended St. Joseph’s High School where he was recruited by Murray State University to run long distance track and field events. He enjoyed success at Murray State, winning three event titles at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.
However, when budget problems forced Murray State to drop the track and field program, Korir had to find a new school to showcase his talents.
“I visited five schools,” Korir said. “Louisville was the last and I liked it the most.”
Ever since coming to U of L, Korir has enjoyed nothing but success with the cross country team. In his first year as a Cardinal, he was named Conference USA Freshman Runner of the Year after winning four individual event titles and being named All-Conference.
After the switch to the more competitive Big East Conference, Korir still did not fail to impress. In each of his past two seasons, he earned All-Region honors, along with All-Big East honors. Last year he finished as either the first or second place runner in each of U of L’s races.
While running track, Korir became the first U of L runner in school history to earn All-American honors after finishing third in the 5,000-meter run at the 2007 Outdoor Championships.
Korir hopes this year is no different.
“I’m looking forward to doing well,” Korir said. “I’m in good shape and am looking to finish strong. I’m looking forward to nationals. I want to win nationals. If that is the will of God that is what I want because I want what God wants for me.”
Korir’s success has come with great dedication and hard work. A normal week’s work for Korir during cross country season might involve running over 60 miles in six days. At the beginning of the week he takes a two-hour run, around 18 or 19 miles. The next day is a tempo run of five miles at practice. Following that, he uses the next day as a recovery day running another 15 miles at his own pace.
At the next practice, Korir does what he calls a walk-out, where he runs however much Head Coach Ron Mann asks him to. That is followed again by a recovery run, and on the last day the team does another walk-out or a race.
“In life there are certain blessings. Wesley has been one of those that I’ve been given,” Mann said. “He’s been a joy to coach and that’s the hope of every coach. That’s how great things get accomplished. God only knows how far he can go. He has only scratched the surface.”
Korir indeed may have greater things waiting for him in the future. He plans to attend medical school upon his graduation from U of L.
“I want to have the opportunity to help the poor back home,” Korir said.
It is not hard to believe that Korir will live up to the expectations he has set for himself this season. His dedication to his team, to his school, to himself and to God will surely guarantee this bright, young student the success and the opportunity he came to America to discover.
