Makau plots the next golden chapter

There are very few things that can supersede the recognition of being on top of the world in your craft, trade or profession.

Having ascended to the throne of ultimate distance running last September, world marathon record holder, Patrick Makau Musyoki’s purple patch continued when he welcomed twin sons to his family on January 31st.

This represented another major conquest for a man who continues to scale the heights in every facet of his life uninhibited.

“This is something which is great! Many people before thought that for someone running marathons it is very hard to get boys but I have been blessed with two, it is something great for me.

“It means I can produce more in the side of running and even on the other side of the family,” Makau offered with a wide triumphant grin, the kind that illuminated his face when he breast the tape in 2:03:38 to set the new world record.

Since blowing apart Haile ‘The Emperor’ Gebrsellasie and his previous benchmark of 2:03:59, Makau is now the biggest scalp in ultimate distance running among his peers who had tried for three years with fail to dethrone the diminutive Ethiopian.

The daggers have been already been drawn against his new standard as the cream of marathon running prepares for another riveting season with the added spice of an Olympics race in London.

And from Makau who recently welcomed a team of international journalists under the auspices of world governing body IAAF Day in Life (DIL) programme to witness his rigorous training regime, the message is simple- he is not going to let go without a fight!

“2011 was a very great year for me since I ran two big races, one, the London Marathon where I came position three that I was okay with it, I was satisfied since all I just needed the time.

“But since the year started all I was thinking was the world record, it was in my heart and in my mind and I kept focusing on Berlin and by the end of the year, I went there and tried my level best and managed to get the world record.”

The world record holder who turns 27 on March 2 has set his sights on making the Kenyan Olympics squad as well as making an impression at April’s London Marathon where he will face arguably one of the toughest fields ever assembled.

“London will be a tactical race since everyone knows it is an Olympics year and the team that was selected by the London Committee is the best one ever. It will mean a lot for someone to win and maybe, they will not perform at the Olympics.

“It will force one to do the calculations and be good in mind and for myself; I will not leave the London Marathon to interfere a lot with my mind. I know myself, I’m good, and I’m strong and I know that many people do not believe in me but if God gives me good health, I can do something great,” the record holder asserted.

Initially, Makau was promised an automatic Olympics berth on his victorious return from Berlin by Athletics Kenya before the federation later ruled to include him in a list of six who will vie for three final slots during the spring marathon season.

“I’m a kind of funny person, actually, I do not survive for Olympics, I survive on running very well especially for my country. If this was not an Olympics year, I would have still

“Olympics and other big races are part of competition, they are part of us and waiting for us to run in them. I will be happy to represent my country in the Olympics and if I never get the chance, I will focus on something else.”

And can he better his all time recognised best?

“My plan in future is to try to improve my time since I’m of young age and I know at this time, I can do something great and I will try all I can to add to my record.

“Winning Olympics gold or championships is also on my mind. Running championships is easy and I can bring a medal for Kenya,” the runner who won silver twice for his nation at the 2007 and 2008 World Half Marathon Championships outlined.