Wanjiru shakes off Ethiopian to conquer London

By Mutwiri Mutuota and agencies

Nyahururu erupted into song and dance as Kenya’s marathon running king, Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, added the London crown to his Olympic title in a course record performance.

Speaking to FeverPitch from the London winners’ home in the suburbs of the town moments after her son held off a spirited challenge from Ethiopia’s Tsegay Kebede to conquer London in 2:05:10 yesterday, Wanjiru’s mother, Ann Wanjiru, was filled with joy.

"I give thanks and praise to God for giving him the strength to win. We had prayed hard for victory and now we are very happy that it was delivered," the elated mother proclaimed.

"I was watching the race at Kamau’s home with his wife and when the Ethiopian came close, I went down to my knees to pray for him to get the power to finish and get the record he wanted.

"When he returns, we shall praise the Lord and stage a huge party in his honour," she offered.

His local coach, Robert Kioni, added: "I am very happy for him. Even when Kebede closed in, we knew when it is good for him to run his last kick and he did it to perfection.

"I was a bit worried when he missed his water at 40km but he held on brilliantly at the end despite the challenge."

A tense race

Villagers in Wanjiru’s Nyahururu home trooped in their droves to watch the action on satellite television and after a tense race, erupted to song and dance as an impromptu party got underway as gospel music blared.

Wanjiru, 22, who holds the Olympics course record of 2:06:32, ran in Beijing last year, bettered compatriot Martin Lel’s previous London best of 2:05:15. Lel, the defending champion, pulled out of the competition hours before the race with a hip problem.

Wanjiru was forced to work hard in the final kilometres, glancing anxiously over his shoulder, as Kebede narrowed the margin. He surged again with 2km to run and held on to win ahead of Beijing bronze medallist, who clocked 2:05:20. Twice world champion Gharib was third in 2:05:27.

Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat, said, "I must say that Wanjiru’s performance is quite good. I also wish to congratulate all the other Kenyans who ran in London yesterday."

Emmanuel Mutai (2:06:53) and 2006 London champion, Felix Limo (2:09:47) finished fourth and tenth. World champion, Luke Kibet did not finish.

In the women’s race, Olympic silver medallist, Catherine Ndereba, was the best-placed Kenyan in seventh after clocking 2:26:22. Comrade, Martha Komu did not finish. Defending champion Irina Mikitenko of Germany won in 2:22:11 ahead of Britain’s Mara Yamauchi who produced a personal best of 2:23:12.