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Who is Sammy Wanjiru - 2010 Chicago Champion!

Ranked #10,048 in Sports & Recreation, #251,394 overall

Reigning Olympic Marathon Champion

Samuel Wanjiru is on track to become the greatest Kenyan marathoner of all-time. His greatest achievement was winning the Olympic marathon in Beijing, but he also won London and Chicago (twice), set the world record in the half-marathon three times (current #2 all-time 58:33) and the world junior record for 10,000 meters (26:41.75).

Until 2009, he lived and trained in Japan with the Tokyo Kyushu corporate team. He has repeatedly stated that his goal is to take down Haile Gebrselassie's world record in the marathon.

RIP Samuel Wanjiru (1986-2011)


Sammy Wanjiru has passed away. Cause of death is not yet known.

**Updated All-Time Best Performances Lists below!**

Quick Poll: How fast will Sammy eventually run the marathon?

Fast, Super-Fast, or Fastest ever?

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  1. Who will go down as the greatest marathoner ever?
  2. Six fun facts about Sammy Wanjiru
  3. Samuel Wanjiru as a junior
  4. Quick Poll: What was Sammy's most impressive junior performance?
  5. Sammy runs a debut 2:06:39 in Fukuoka in 2007
  6. Samuel Wanjiru the professional
  7. Quick Poll: Was Sammy's Olympic marathon performance the best ever?
  8. Sammy breaks the Olympic Record in Beijing
  9. Sammy's best performances
  10. Quick Poll: How fast can Sammy run the 10k?
  11. All-Time Fastest Performers Lists
  12. News and Views about Sammy from the Blogosphere
  13. Other great distance running lenses by buraian
  14. What do you think of Sammy Wanjiru?
  15. Optimal Training

Who will go down as the greatest marathoner ever?

Who will be remembered as #1?

Sammy holds the world record in the half marathon and seems poised to take a shot at Haile's best in the full marathon. Plus he won a little race called the Olympic marathon...

Who will go down as the greatest marathoner ever?

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Sammy Wanjiru

Dejen Gebreselasie says:

this is a very hard question.
but i wouldn't be suprised if sammy break hailes record..
it will be good to see sammy breaking the new world recor..
but haile is the greatest distance runner :)
but goooooo sammy have a gooo why not..

Posted August 18, 2010

Yourrs Trulyy. says:

SAMMYYY ROCCKKKKS

Posted April 21, 2009

buraian says:

I think it will be Sammy. Everyone is waiting for Bekele to do the marathon, but I think Sammy is going to be the one to take down Geb's record. With his Olympic gold medal, it would be a done deal.

Posted November 10, 2008

Someone else.

Dejen gebreselassie says:

haile gebreselassie

Posted August 18, 2010

 

Six fun facts about Sammy Wanjiru

Now you know!

  1. Sammy went to high school in Japan. He ran a personal best 5,000 meters of 13:12.40 when he was still 17 years old!
  2. Samuel broke his first world record at the age of 18, running 59:16 for the half marathon!
  3. In 2005, Sammy was named Kenya's Most Promising Sportsman of the Year!
  4. Sammy ran for the Toyota Kyushu race team after graduating from high school, and was coached by Olympic silver medalist Koichi Morishita!
  5. Sammy forgot his racing shoes in Kenya, so he had to run the Beijing Olympic marathon in his warm-up shoes!
  6. Sammy was made a village elder in his hometown upon returning from his victory at the Beijing Olympics!

Samuel Wanjiru as a junior

Dominating the Japanese high school scene

Sammy was born and raised in Nyahururu by his mother, Hannah Wanjiru. A member of the Kikuyu tribe, he lived at very high altitude from a young age. Due to his family's poverty, he dropped out of school in the seventh grade. Around that time, he was noticed by coach Francis Kamau, with the Mutual Fair Exchanges (MFAE) athletic club.

Sammy moved in with the club and at age 14 finished 3rd in the Kenya National Primary Athletics Championships 10,000m. Despite his potential, however, he was unable to continue training with the team due to a lack of money.

After some time at home, Sammy asked for permission to attend the Mt. Kenya High Altitude Training Camp in Nyeri. He stayed and trained there and won many local races, making him a local hero. He also caught the eye of Sunnichi Kobayashi, who was an athletic promoter living in Kenya. In March, 2002, Sammy went to Japan and enrolled at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School.

In 2002, Sammy led his school to a 6th place finish in the National High School Ekiden Championships. He won the first leg of the race (10k), coming across the line in 28:55.

In 2003, Sendai Ikuei won the National High School Ekiden Championships and set a new meet record time (2:02:07). Sammy again ran the first leg of the race, clocking 28:04 for the 10k distance.

In 2004, Sammy's third and final year in high school, he ran the 3rd leg (8.1075 km) in the National High School Ekiden Championships. His time of 22:40 was a new record for the 3rd leg. Sendai Ikuei went on to defend its title and set another new meet record of 2:01:32.

Sources: Wikipedia Japan

Quick Poll: What was Sammy's most impressive junior performance?

They are pretty amazing!

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Sammy runs a debut 2:06:39 in Fukuoka in 2007 

Samuel Wanjiru the professional

Too brief a career...

"I want the world record at next year's Berlin marathon and I want to defend my Olympic title" --Sammy Wanjiru, after the Olympic marathon

After graduating from high school, Sammy joined the Toyota Kyushu corporate team. In April 2004, just after graduating, Sammy ran 13:12.40 for 5000m. He was still just 17 years old.

The next year he broke the World Junior Record for 10,000 meters in a race in Brussels. His time of 26:41.75 put him in 3rd place. Notably, Kenenisa Bekele broke the world record in that same race. Two weeks later, Sammy broke the world record for the half marathon, running 59:16 in Rotterdam.

Sammy ran the 3rd leg (11.8km) of the New Year Ekiden, and was the second fastest runner (31:18). The following year he took third in the same leg, clocking 31:57. In 2008 he clocked his fastest time (31:17), but finished just 4th in the leg.

One year after Haile Gebrselassie set a new half marathon record of 58:55, in February 2007 Sammy retook his record with a 58:53 performance in Ras al Khaimah. One month later, Sammy improved that performance to 58:33 at The Hague, Netherlands. During the race he broke Haile Gebrselassie's world record for 20km.

In December 2007, Sammy made his marathon debut in Fukuoka. He won the race in a new course record 2:06:39. He then followed that up with a 2nd place finish in London, running 2:05:24, a personal best and the 7th fastest time ever. In the months after the London marathon he trained for Beijing and acted as pacemaker for many of his teammates in Toyota Kyushu as they attempted to get Beijing qualifiers.

Sammy's coach, Koichi Morishita, announced publicly that he did not want Sammy to run London or Beijing. When combined with the limitations of the Japanese racing system--180 day residency requirements, mandatory participation in certain ekiden and track races--pushed Sammy to leave the Toyota Kyushu team shortly before the Beijing Games.

In Beijing, despite being just 21 years old and running in just his third marathon, Sammy won the gold medal in the marathon with a time of 2:06:32. It shattered the Olympic Record by almost 3 minutes, a performance many consider to be the greatest marathon ever run.

Sammy ran one more race prior to ending his season, the Porto Sport Zone Half Marathon. He won the race in a time of 1:01:24, a race record. He then signed an endorsement deal with Meiji Seika--maker of Savas sports supplements--for $3 million.

Sammy's first race of 2009 was the Mitja Marato de Granollers half marathon, which he won in a time of 61:13. He then finished a disappointing 9th at the Lisbon half marathon, running 61:25. Martin Lel won in 59:56. He redeemed himself with a 2:05:10 course record victory at the London Marathon in April. He finished 9th in the Rotterdam Half Marathon in 61:08. He stated he was in heavy training for the Chicago Marathon, which he eventually won in a CR 2:05:41. He finished off 2009 with a 4th place finish at the Great Australian Run, clocking 44:20. Shortly after his sponsorship by Meiji Seika was terminated.

Sammy finished 2nd to Martin Lel at the Mardi Gras New Orleans Half Marathon, running 1:01:33. He then DNF'd at the Virgin London Marathon and again at the Castelbuono Road Race in Italy. He rebounded in Chicago, defending his championship and surging away to victory in 2:06:23. The win also earned him the World Marathon Majors title and a $500k prize.

Outside of running, Sammy was arrested for possessing an illegal firearm and threatening to kill his wife in late 2010, and then flipped his car in January 2011. Sammy Wanjiru passed away on May 15, 2011.

Sources: Joseph Kanyi, Japan Running News

Quick Poll: Was Sammy's Olympic marathon performance the best ever?

Does anything else compare?

He broke the Olympic record by 3 minutes. He ran 2:06:32, the 32nd fastest time EVER at that time, and he did it on a hot, humid day. But does that make it the best?

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The Olympic Marathon

by David E. Martin and Roger W. H. Gynn

This book doesn't profile Sammy Wanjiru or the 2008 Olympic marathon, but it does provide a lot of great information about Olympic marathons past.
The Olympic Marathon

The Olympic Marathon

by: David Martin, Roger Gynn

Amazon Price: $18.04 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now
Used Price: $6.99

If you are a runner (especially a marathoner) you have to get this book. It goes through every marathon in Olympic history, giving each race history, events, course, statistics, etc. It is very thorough, while pacing itself to get in all the Olympic marathons into a single volume. And, it was written in an interesting and readable manner.

The competition and sport of the races themselves give a great basis for an exciting read.

If you are doing a research project (like I was) this was the only book I would recommend - or, at least the first book. I could not find a book anywhere that showed the 1960 Rome Olympic course. Martin and Gynn had it. In fact, their race course map was better than the map a friend obtained for me from the Italian Olympic Library (Federazione Italiana Di Ateletica Leggera). --Doulos

Sammy breaks the Olympic Record in Beijing 

Sammy's best performances

Including his Japanese championships!

Championships

2003 National High School Ekiden Team Champion
2004 National High School Ekiden Team Champion
2007 Fukuoka Marathon (2:06:39)
2008 Summer Olympics marathon (2:06:32)
2009 London Marathon (2:05:10)
2009 Chicago Marathon (2:05:41)
2010 Chicago Marathon (2:06:23)

Personal Bests

3:50.28 - 1500m - Nagasaki (2003)
13:12.40 - 5000m - Hiroshima (2005)
26:41.75WJR - 10000m - Brussels (2005)
41:29 - 15000m - Ras al Khaimah (2007)
55:31 - 20000m - Den Haag (2007) - former WR
58:33 - half marathon - Den Haag (2007) - former WR
2:05:10 - marathon - London (2009)

Sources: Alltime Athletics, Peak Sports Management

Quick Poll: How fast can Sammy run the 10k?

Can he take down Bekele's record?

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All-Time Fastest Performers Lists

Sammy is a stud.

Marathon

01. 2:03:59 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) - Berlin (2008)
02. 2:04:27 - Duncan Kibet (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
03. 2:04:27 - James Kipsang Kwambai (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
04. 2:04:48 - Patrick Makau (KEN) - Rotterdam (2010)
05. 2:04:55 - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) - Rotterdam (2010)
06. 2:04:55 - Paul Tergat (KEN) - Berlin (2003)
07. 2:04:56 - Sammy Korir (KEN) - Berlin (2003)
08. 2:05:04 - Abel Kirui (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
09. 2:05:08 - Patrick Makau (KEN) - Berlin (2010)
10. 2:05:10 - Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) - London (2009)
11. 2:05:13 - Vincent Kipruto (KEN) - Rotterdam (2010)
12. 2:05:15 - Martin Lel (KEN) - London (2008)
13. 2:05:19 - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) - London (2010)
14. 2:05:23 - Feysa Lelisa (ETH) - Rotterdam (2010)
15. 2:05:25 - Bado Worku (ETH) - Berlin (2010)
16. 2:05:27 - Jaouad Gharib (MAR) - London (2009)
17. 2:05:30 - Abderrahim Goumri (MAR) - London (2008)
18. 2:05:38 - Khalid Khannouchi (USA) - London (2002)
19. 2:05:39 - Eliud Kiptanui (KEN) - Prague (2010)
20. 2:05:47 - Vincent Limo (KEN) - Paris (2009)
21. 2:05:49 - William Kipsang (KEN) - Rotterdam (2008)
22. 2:05:50 - Evans Rutto (KEN) - Chicago (2003)
23. 2:05:52 - Robert K. Cheruiyot (KEN) - Boston (2010)
24. 2:06:05 - Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) - Berlin (1998)
25. 2:06:14 - Felix Limo (KEN) - Rotterdam (2004)

Half-Marathon

01. 58:23 - Zersenay Tadese (ERI) - Lisbon (2010)
02. 58:33 - Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) - Den Haag (2007)
03. 58:52 - Patrick Kamau (KEN) - Ras al Khaimah (2009)
04. 58:55 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) - Tempe (2006)
05. 58:58 - Sammy Kitwara (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
06. 58:59 - Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (KEN) - Ras al Khaimah (2009)
07. 59:05 - Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot (KEN) - Udine (2007)
08. 59:06* - Paul Tergat (KEN) - Lisbon (2000)
09. 59:07 - Paul Kosgei (KEN) - Berlin (2006)
10. 59:08 - Jonathan Maiyo (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
11. 59:09 - James Kwambai (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
12. 59:10 - Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
13. 59:15 - Wilson Chebet (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
14. 59:16 - Deriba Merga Ejigu (ETH) - Udine (2007)
15. 59:19 - Tilahun Regessa (ETH) - Abu Dhabi (2010)
16. 59:20* - Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) - Lisbon (2000)
16. 59:20 - Moses Mosop (KEN) - Milan (2010)
18. 59:21* - Robert K Cheruiyot (KEN) - Lisbon (2005)
19. 59:23 - John Kiprotich (KEN) - Rotterdam (2009)
20. 59:26 - Francis Kibiwott (KEN) - Berlin (2007)

* Slightly downhill course.

10,000 Meters

01. 26:17.53 - Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) - Brussels (2005)
02. 26:22.75 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) - Hengelo (1998)
03. 26:27.85 - Paul Tergat (KEN) - Brussels (1997)
04. 26:30.03 - Nicholas Kemboi (KEN) - Brussels (2003)
05. 26:30.74 - Abebe Dinkesa Negera (ETH) - Hengelo (2005)
06. 26:35.63 - Micah Kogo (KEN) - Brussels (2006)
07. 26:36.26 - Paul Koech (KEN) - Brussels (1997)
08. 26:37.25 - Zersenay Tadese (ERI) - Brussels (2006)
09. 26:38.08 - Salah Hissou (MAR) - Brussels (1996)
10. 26:38.76 - Abdullah Ahmad Hassan (QAT) - Brussels (2003)
11. 26:39.69 - Sileshi Sihine (ETH) - Hengelo (2004)
12. 26:39.77 - Boniface Kiprop (UGA) - Brussels (2005)
13. 26:41.75 - Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) - Brussels (2005)
14. 26:49.02 - Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) - Hengelo (2007)
15. 26:49.20 - Moses Masai (KEN) - Brussels (2007)
16. 26:49.38 - Sammy Kipketer (KEN) - Brussels (2002)
17. 26:49.55 - Moses Mosop (KEN) - Hengelo (2007)
18. 26:49.90 - Assefa Mezgebu (ETH) - Brussels (2002)
19. 26:50.20 - Richard Limo (KEN) - Brussels (2002)
20. 26:50.67 - Albert Chepkurui (KEN) - Brussels (2002)

5,000 Meters

01. 12:37.35 - Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) - Hengelo (2004)
02. 12:39.36 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) - Helsinki (1998)
03. 12:39.74 - Daniel Komen (KEN) - Brussels (1997)
04. 12:46.53 - Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) - Rome (2004)
05. 12:47.04 - Sileshi Sihine (ETH) - Rome (2004)
06. 12:48.66 - Issac Songok (KEN) - Zurich (2006)
07. 12:48.81 - Stephen Cherono (KEN) - Ostrava (2003)
08. 12:49.28 - Brahim Lahlafi (MAR) - Brussels (2000)
09. 12:49.71 - Mohammed Mourhit (BEL) - Brussels (2000)
10. 12:50.24 - Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR) - Ostrava (2003)
11. 12:50.25 - Abderrahim Goumri (MAR) - Brussels (2005)
12. 12:50.55 - Moses Masai (KEN) - Berlin (2008)
13. 12:50.72 - Moses Kipsiro (KEN) - Brussels (2007)
14. 12:50.80 - Salah Hissou (MAR) - Rome (1996)
15. 12:50.86 - Ali Saïdi-Sief (ALG) - Rome (2000)
16. 12:51.00 - Joseph Ebuya (KEN) - Brussels (2007)
17. 12:51.95 - Thomas Longosiwa (KEN) - Brussels (2007)
18. 12:51.98 - Saif Saeed Shaheen (QAT) - Rome (2006)
19. 12:52.33 - Sammy Kipketer (KEN) - Oslo (2003)
20. 12:52.40 - Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (KEN) - Saint-Denis (2006)
NR. 13:12.40 - Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) - Hiroshima (2005)

Sources: All-time Athletics

News and Views about Sammy from the Blogosphere

What others are saying about Samuel Wanjiru

One More Charged Over Barclays Bank Robbery in Eastleigh
Samuel Mwangi is said to have been armed with pistols at the time of such robbery. He however denied the charges before Nairobi chief magistrate Esther Mwangi. This brings to 10 the number of suspects charged over the robbery.
Kisorio versus Mogusu - Preview of Marugame Half Marathon
Both the course record of 59:48 as well as Japanese all-comers record of 58:45 by late Samuel Wanjiru recorded in Sendai are in danger. If anybody is going to challenge Kisorio and Mogusu, it will be James Mwangi, who finished second in 2011 Fukuoka ...
Kenya: We Can Achieve A Lot Through Our Olympic Movement
An example of this is the victory ceremony of the men's marathon in Beijing that was held before the official closing ceremony, with billions watching the late Samuel Wanjiru being awarded his medal and the national anthem played after.
Kenya: The Day Moi Changed My Life
Apart from the resources of her parents, Andrew Muhia Kibura and Tabitha Wanjiru Muhia of Turi township in Molo, her hospital visits also affected her studies because of frequent absence from school. But she passed her Certificate of Primary Education ...
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What do you think of Sammy Wanjiru?

Got a story you want to share about Sammy? Here's the place to do it!

submit
  • Reply
    Njenga Peter Apr 23, 2010 @ 8:22 am | delete
    We are yet to see the best of him. His defining moment will be a sub one hour mile five to six years from now
  • Reply
    kamau Oct 15, 2009 @ 1:10 am | delete
    this is a great runner and i wish him all the best.hope that he will also be big hearted to help others from difficult backgrounds.
  • Reply
    Khalfan Apr 5, 2009 @ 7:57 pm | delete
    Sammy Finished 7th in Lisbon and not 9th!
  • Reply
    JOSEPH KANYI Feb 5, 2009 @ 1:24 am | delete
    GOOD MATERIALS.
  • Reply
    JOSEPH KANYI Feb 5, 2009 @ 1:23 am | delete
    GOOD MATERIALS.
  • Reply
    mrs kamau wanjiru Nov 27, 2008 @ 5:22 am | delete
    SAMUEL IS POTENTIAL AND HE WILL KEEP ALL THE MARATHON RECORDS,HE IS SO MUCH DEDICATED TO HIS CAREER AS A ATHLETE.NOT ONLY AN ATHLETE BUT ALSO A FATHER AND A HUSBAND.WE THANKS ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WISH HIM AND SUPPORT HIM TO BE THE BEST.MAY HE RUN AND WIN ALL THE COMPETITION.
  • Reply
    dom Nov 11, 2008 @ 7:15 am | delete
    awesome job Buraian! I was always puzzled at the lack of information and buzz about this young man and im glad u decided to do a lens on him. When ppl started raving about Ryan hall's chances in beijing, they simply forgot the level of competiton he was going up against, especially mr Wanjiru with his world half marathon record and his sub 27 mins 10k credentials.
    Keep up the good work man.
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