Speaking during the launch of the sixth Mwea Classic Marathon, Makau said he has recovered fully and will run in a half marathon in Germany in September before competing in next year’s Tokyo Marathon/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 18 – After being sidelined for eight months with a knee injury, former marathon world record holder Patrick Makau is back on his feet and has set his sights on recapturing his record.
Speaking during the launch of the sixth Mwea Classic Marathon, Makau said he has recovered fully and will run in a half marathon in Germany in September before competing in next year’s Tokyo Marathon.
“The injury on my left knee was bad; it sidelined me for eight months. I was not happy seeing my colleagues winning in my absence but I have now recovered fully and I’m ready to go for it,” the 29-year-old whose last
major competition was at 2013 London Marathon stated.
“I am fit; my focus is to break the record again by lowering Kipsang’s time when next season begins. It’s a big possibility because it’s just amatter of training,” said the two time world half silver medallist.
Makau who broke Haile Gebrselassie’s 2:03:59 record at the 2011 Berlin Marathon, reigned for two years before Kipsang set a new world best of 2:03:23.
Apart from focusing on the world record and the coming international races, Makau has commenced a project in Ngong where he is training young and upcoming athletes to be future world beaters.
His charges will compete at this year’s Mwea Marathon on September 6.
“I have a plan to take ten athletes under my tutelage to the Mwea Classic Marathon. I have been nurturing them since 2011.”
“I believe time has come for them to go out there and prove themselves,” noted Makau, while urging other elite athletes to start personal projects in their various counties to raise athletics standards in Kenya.
As the race ambassador Makau said he cherishes his humble beginnings in the event which propelled him to stardom.
“I am urging Kenyans to take part in it because it is the event that helped me get started and played a huge role in realizing my dreams.”
The event which targets 3,000 participants includes 21K
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