The burgeoning athletics scene in the Arabian Gulf is set to get another injection of pace in the New Year, with Patrick Makau Musyoki of Kenya being first to sign up for the Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates on 8 February 2008. Prize money for the race has been increased to over US$200,000 for this second edition.
Makau, 22 has breached the once formidable 60 minute barrier three times in 2007, with a best of 58.56, making him the world’s number three at the distance, behind colleague Sammy Wanjiru and the ‘Great Geb,’ i.e. Haile Gebrselassie. Makau’s most recent run was a fine second place in the IAAF World Road Running Championships in Udine, Italy in mid-October. All this after just two seasons in the top flight!
Makau was beaten by a world’s best time from colleague Sammy Wanjiru in last year’s Ras Al Khaimah race, but the mark of 58:43 wasn’t accepted due no EPO test being carried out. Wanjiru went on to run faster, an official World record of 58:33 in The Hague in March, and a week later Makau became only the third man (after Geb and Wanjiru) to crack 59 minutes, when he successfully defended his Berlin ‘half’ title, with 58.56 in early April.
He also won the Berlin 25k, then clocked another sub-60 ‘half’, in second place behind another colleague, Evans Cheruyiot in Rotterdam in September. Makau then made a massive improvement, from 26th to second behind defending champion (and World XC title holder) Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea in the World Road Running Championships.
Makau was one of main movers in creating the fast time in RAK, as it’s known, last year. When he and Wanjiru managed to get rid of most of their opponents, they were only left with another sub-60 man, Deriba Merga of Ethiopia to contend with.
“When there were three of us,” recalls Makau, “Wanjiru and me talked in out language (Swahili), and said, ‘Come on, let’s drop this guy (Merga),’” which they promptly did.
But then Wanjiru got away, and Makau had to be satisfied with ‘only’ 59.13. Merga finished exactly half a minute back, in third.
For the tiny emirate, second smallest of the seven which constitute the UAE, the aim of putting themselves on the map was admirably realized by Wanjiru, Makau, Merga and company. Elite athlete coordinator, Ian Ladbroke – who also coaches Makau, incidentally - is finalizing deals for the rest of the field for February, and promises an even better turnout. “We’re looking to sign up a substantial number of the guys who have broken 60 minutes this year,” says Ladbroke. To date, those ‘guys’ number 13, and that doesn’t include former World record holder, Gebrselassie, who has promised to regain his record (and rack up his 27th WR!).
Makau hails from Machakos province in Kenya, but trains in Ngong, like many of the top Kenyans, who live near the capital, Nairobi. However, through the managership of Ladbroke, Makau spends around half the year in the UK, where he is a member of one of the oldest and most famous of Britain’s clubs, Birchfield Harriers of Birmingham.
He is due to make his full marathon debut later in 2008, but for the time being, Makau is back home training in Kenya in preparation for Ras Al Khaimah. According to Ladbroke, “He will run the Belfast Cross Country (5 January) – IAAF XC Permit - as a tune-up, then a small race back in Kenya ten days before RAK”.
For registration information and to know more about the RAK International Half Marathon visit www.rakmarathon.org. Registration closes on December 31, 2007. The RAK International Half Marathon February 8th 2008 is the world’s richest half marathon and is held in association with RAK Government, RAK Police and RAK Media City. Official Sports Partner: New Balance. Official Registration Partners: Virgin Megastores & Wolfi’s Bike Shop. Official Timing provided by ChampionChip UAE. Sponsored by Amana Contracting & Steel Buildings.
