Patrick Makau – An athlete beyond excellence
When a sport is saturated with world-class performers, it is usually difficult for newcomers to emerge and create a name on the international arena. However, it is also a fact that the potential and talent of a player can never remain hidden. One living
example of this phenomenon is Kenyan athlete, Patrick Makau.
It is a well known fact that Africa has always been fertile in producing world-class athletes, especially runners. This running talent is particularly more prevalent among Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, who are also known as arch rivals while competing with
each other on the field.
Makau, the formidable runner is most notable for the half marathon distance. However, his overall performance is not bad either. Amid his world-class performances, he has bagged several world-class titles and awards. This article will take account of another
such award that has only added to the feathers of his cap.
Few days back, Makau was named as the AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious athletics awards in road running. For Makau, this is the first time that the long distance runner has bagged this award. Last year,
it was Sammy Wanjiru, his compatriot, who was declared as the winner.
The AIMS/ ASICS Golden Shoe award was presented to the emphatic runner by Bo Edsberger, Race Director of the Gothenburg Half Marathon. The award is an acknowledgement of the impressive performance of Makau by the Association of International Marathons and
Distance Race (AIMS). The award was given in a small ceremony just ahead of the commencement of the Gothenburg Half Marathon, which kicked-off today. After winning the prestigious award, Makau has joined fellow Kenyans Benson Masya, Josephat Kiprono, Paul
Tergat and Sammy Wanjiru.
Makau enjoyed a thrilling season in 2010, where for winning the 36th edition of the City-Pier-City Half Marathon held in Hague, he finished under an hour and clocked 59:52 minutes. Afterwards, he went on to improve his marathon personal best and
clocked two hours, four minutes and forty eight seconds at the Rotterdam Marathon. The race also culminated in Makau placing him as the fourth fastest runner over the distance. The success in Rotterdam Marathon was followed by Berlin Marathon, where for winning
his first World Marathon Major, he clocked two hours, five minutes and eight seconds.
Talking to media personal after being conferred with the award, Makau said, “This is my first AIMS/ ASICS Athlete of the Year Award and I hope it will be the first of many. I am truly honoured for my name to be listed among some of the greatest athletes
and distance runners of all time and I would like to thank AIMS and its members for their continued support.”
Expressing his resolve for the ongoing year, he said, “My goal for this year is to work hard and continue my development as I still have a lot t learn, however I look forward to challenge myself and one day emulating the great achievements of those who have
gone before me.”
The AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year award, which had been founded back in 1992, is given away on the basis of nominations received from member races from around the world. The nominating membership totals about 300 races organised in more than 90 countries
every year.
Sharing his thoughts for conferring the prestigious award on Makau, Paco Borao, president of AIMS said that it was a privilege to give away the award to an athlete like Patrick Makau. He added that since Patrick had marked an impressive last year, he was
a worthy successor to be crowned this year just like the late athlete and his great countryman, Sammy Wanjiru.
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