Kenyan marathoner Makau targets World record in Berlin

Nairobi, April 1 (IANS) Former World marathon record holder Patrick Makau of Kenya believes it will take time before the current generation of athletes runs the 42km race in under two hours and two minutes.

"I know there are efforts to run the marathon under two hours and three minutes and beat the current mark. I tell you that is a long shot away. However, it is very possible for the marathon record to be improved by slashing a few seconds off the current mark.

"That is what I intend to do in Berlin in September," the 32-year-old Makau said here on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Makau, who holds a personal best time of 2 hours, 3 minutes and 38 seconds, then a marathon World record in Berlin in 2011, said he is inspired top return to Berlin in the summer to try and shatter the current record held by compatriot Dennis Kimetto (2:02:57), which has stood for the last three years.

The Berlin marathon, which has seen six world record broken by Paul Tergat, Haile Gebreselasie, Makau, Wislon Kipsang (twice) and Kimetto, will be held on September 24.

However, for Makau, his main focus will not be Berlin challenge but the unpredictable course in Boston on April 17 where he is lining up against a strong opposition.

Makau last had a competitive race back in December 2016 at the Fukuoka Marathon, finishing second in 2:08:57 after recovering from injury.

He has remained injury free for the last one year, the longest period since he shattered the world record in Berlin six years ago and he hopes it is proof enough he is getting back to his best form.

"I am doing well and injuries have for now been out of my focus. I am planning to compete at Boston Marathon in April then in September, my aim to return to Berlin and try to break the record. Even if it's not going to be under two munities, I have a feeling the record will be broken," Makau said.

In Boston, Makau will come up against Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13), Sammy Kitwara (2:04:28) who was second in Chicago last year, Wilson Chebet (2:05:27), Wesley Korir (2:06:13) and Geoffrey Kirui (2:06:27). Kimetto, who was also expected to compete in the same race, has pulled out after he crashed in training and injured his knee, which left a big open wound.

(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)