2012 Boston Marathon Champion Wesley Korir Elected To Kenyan Parliament

BOSTON (CBS) - 2012 Boston Marathon Champion Wesley Korir has just run a very different kind of race to victory.

Earlier this week, the 30-year-old Korir was elected to an independent seat in Kenyan Parliament.

Watch: Korir Celebrates Election To Kenyan Parliament

Korir, a two-time Los Angeles Marathon Champion, has done quite a bit for his homeland, co-founding the Kenyan Kids Foundation with his wife Tarah. The foundation not only helps students in Kenya with tuition and other educational support, but also had their hand in finishing a mission hospital in Korir's hometown of Biribiriet.

Photo Gallery: 116th Boston Marathon Elite Race

Korir escaped violence in Kenya in the early 2000's and made his way to Louisville, Kentucky, where he ran track at Murray State and the University of Louisville. He ran his first Marathon in Chicago in 2008, and celebrated his first victory a year later in Los Angeles.

Read: 117th Boston Marathon Elite Field Announced

While he vows to quickly get to work on changing things in Kenya, Korir will be back in the United States shortly as he looks to defend his Boston crown on April 17 at the 117th running of the Boston Marathon.