A Kenyan long-distance runner who won the 2008 Olympic Marathon and holds the course record at the Chicago Marathon. He's known for his aggressive racing style and tragic death at a young age.
Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan long-distance runner who made history by winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics Marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32, becoming the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold in the marathon. He was only 21 years old at the time, making him the youngest gold medalist in the marathon since 1932.
Wanjiru was born on November 10, 1986, in Nyahururu, Laikipia County, Kenya. He grew up in poverty with his brother Simon Njoroge, raised by their mother Hannah Wanjiru, who was a single mother. Wanjiru took his mother's given name as a surname. He dropped out of school at the age of 12 due to financial constraints.
Wanjiru started running at the age of 8 and moved to Japan in 2002 to attend Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School in Sendai. He excelled in cross-country running, winning the Fukuoka International Cross Country at 16 years old in 2003. He went on to win in both Fukuoka and at the Chiba International Cross Country consecutively in 2004 and 2005.
After graduating in 2005, Wanjiru joined the Toyota Kysh athletics team, coached by 1992 Olympic marathon silver medalist Koichi Morishita. He set the current 10,000m World Junior Record in 2005 and set the half-marathon world record three times.
In 2009, Wanjiru won both the London Marathon and Chicago Marathon, running the fastest marathons ever recorded in the United Kingdom and United States, respectively. He retained his Chicago title in 2010, despite struggling with injuries.
Wanjiru's personal life was marked by turmoil. He struggled with injuries, and his relationships were often marred by domestic disputes. On May 15, 2011, Wanjiru died after falling from a balcony at his home in Nyahururu, Kenya, following a domestic dispute.
Despite his untimely death, Wanjiru's legacy lives on. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest distance runners of all time, and his achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes.
Wanjiru's achievements have had a lasting impact on the world of athletics. He broke barriers and paved the way for other Kenyan athletes to succeed in the marathon. His records continue to inspire and challenge athletes to push themselves to new heights.
Wanjiru's story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. Despite facing adversity and struggling with personal demons, he remained committed to his craft and achieved greatness.
Samuel Wanjiru may be gone, but his legacy will live on forever.
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A Kenyan long-distance runner who won numerous accolades, including the 2005 New York City Marathon, and holds the former world record in the marathon. He is a highly decorated athlete with a successful career spanning over a decade.
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A world-class long-distance runner who won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, setting multiple records in the 10,000 meters and marathon events.
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A dominant long-distance runner, holding multiple world records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, with a career spanning over two decades.
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A Kenyan long-distance runner holds the current marathon world record and is the first person to run a sub-2 hour marathon, achieving an unprecedented feat in athletics. He is a dominant force in long-distance running, winning numerous Olympic and World Championship titles.
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A Kenyan long-distance runner who holds the former marathon world record and has won numerous international titles, including the London and Berlin Marathons.
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