Makau set for September 6 Mwea Classic Marathon

Mwea Classic Marathon ambassador Patrick Makau has commenced intense training in Ngong township in a bid to reclaim the World Marathon record (2:03:38) he set in Germany in 2011.

The record was broken last year by double London Marathon champion Wilson Sang who registered 2:03:23 in the same event (Berlin Marathon).

Makau is happy that he has come out of injury, which has kept him out of local and international competitions.

“The injury on my left knee was bad, but now I am ready to go. I feel fit. My focus is to claim the Berlin Marathon record again by lowering Kipsang’s time next year,” said the two-time world half-marathon champion.

Makau, who has embarked on training other upcoming athletes in Ngong, will gauge his fitness soon at an international half marathon contest next month in Germany before competing in the Tokyo Marathon in December.

His first assignment with his charges will be at the 2014 Mwea Classic Marathon due at Mwea Secondary on September 6, 2014.

“I will take ten athletes under my tutelage to the Mwea contest. I have  my training partner Francis Maundu and I have been nurturing them since 2011. I believe time has come for them to go out and prove themselves,” Makau told FeverPitch.

As Mwea Marathon ambassador Makau said: “I am urging Kenyans to take part in Mwea race. This event has been helping the youth realise their dreams.” 

Marathon chairman Charles Gichobi said: “When the marathon was launched six years ago, we were able to take two students to the university with the proceeds. This year, about 200 students from Kirinyaga County will be able to join university courtesy of the race.” 

Organisers have also been using the proceeds to offer inspirational programmes to the youth in Mwea.

The race categories include the 21km, 10km and the local category runs. Registration for this year’s edition started two months ago with adults paying Sh1,000 and students Sh200.

Some of the sponsors on board are CFC Stanbic, Nakumatt and Amref.The race targets 3,000 athletes and aims to raise Sh5million.

Sports Director Winslas Ong’ayo, who graced the yesterday’s launch in Nairobi, pledged support to the Mwea races, adding that the government is keen to support Kenyan athletes during local and international championships.