Patrick Makau
World marathon record holder Patrick Makau will run the BMW Frankfurt Marathon on 28th October. Organisers of Germany’s oldest city marathon, which will see its 31st edition, have today confirmed the most spectacular signing in the history of their event.
The 27 year-old Kenyan had established the present record of 2:03:38 in Berlin a year ago. After surprisingly being omitted from Olympic selection Patrick Makau opted for the German IAAF Gold Label Road Race, that has established itself among the world’s top marathons in recent years. “It is an honour for us that such an outstanding athlete has chosen to run the BMW Frankfurt Marathon,” said Race Director Jo Schindler.
A year ago Patrick Makau had broken the marathon world record in Berlin, beating superstar Haile Gebrselassie. The Ethiopian had entered the race as the world record holder, but Patrick Makau improved that mark by 21 seconds. However a couple of weeks after his biggest triumph so far Patrick Makau had to sweat over his record. It was in Frankfurt where fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang clocked a course record of 2:03:42, just missing the mark by a mere four seconds.
Wilson Kipsang’s present course record had been the fifth in a row broken at the BMW Frankfurt Marathon. Since 2007 the mark was improved from 2:07:58 to 2:03:42, showing the enormous development of the elite race. The mass event has grown considerably as well. With a record number of finishers in 2011 (12,436), the BMW Frankfurt Marathon became Germany’s second biggest race of its kind. This year interest is even bigger. Organisers expect to reach the entry limit of 15,000 runners well before race weekend. Online entry is possible at: www.bmw-frankfurt-marathon.com
“The fact that Patrick has decided in favour of Frankfurt shows his determination to run a very good race and a fast time,” said Christoph Kopp, who is responsible for the elite field of the BMW Frankfurt Marathon. After not being selected for the London Olympics, Patrick Makau wants to bounce back.
The BMW Frankfurt Marathon will be the eighth marathon of Patrick Makau’s career. The Kenyan has a great win streak in Germany, which he wants to continue. So far he started at seven high profile road races in this country and has won all of them.