News19 Feb 2008


Wanjiru returning to The Hague

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Samuel Wanjiru in The Hague / Den Haag - wins in a time of 58:33 (© c)

World record holder Samuel Wanjiru will return to The Hague for the 34th edition of the Fortis City-Pier-City Half Marathon on Saturday, 15 March, organisers announced.

Last year, the 21-year-old Kenyan produced a stunning performance in the race, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, reaching the finish in 58:33, bettering his own previous World record of 58:53.

It was the third time Wanjiru broke the World record in the Half Marathon. The first time came on 11 September 2005 at the Fortis Half Marathon in Rotterdam with a 59:16 run, a performance that is still the World junior best. Wanjiru is already the fastest half marathoner of 2008 with a 59:26 performance at in Granollers, Spain, on 3 February. In his relatively short but outstanding career, the young African has already run six Half Marathons under one hour.

Beside Wanjiru his compatriot Martin Lel, with a personal best of 59:30, will also start in The Hague. Lel is especially known as the two-time winner of the London Marathon (2005 and 2007). In the British capital he finished second in 2006 in his personal Marathon best of 2:06:41. Lel’s resume also includes a victory at the New York Marathon (2003) and a third place finish in Boston (2004). Lel is a past World Half Marathon champion, having won in Vilamoura, Portugal, in 2003.

With Wanjiru and Lel added to the field, there are now five athletes in the race with personal bests under 60 minutes. Previously announced were Kenyans Patrick Makau Musyoki (58:56) and Francis Kibiwott (59:26) and Ethiopiar Deribe Merga (59:16). This year’s race in The Hague probably has the strongest field ever assembled in a non championship race over the 21.1 kilometres distance.

Wim van Hemert for the IAAF

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