FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
With Patience Wilfred Kigen made it a hattrick in Frankfurt
Wilfred Kigen became the first to clock a sub 2:08 time and the first man
to achieve a hattrick in the history of Germany's oldest city marathon: At
the 26th edition of the Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon the 32
year-old Keyan clocked 2:07:58 on Sunday.
As a marathon runner like Kigen you need patience to be successful –
especially in a race like this one on Sunday, where the latter second
placed Hosea Rotich (Kenya/2:08:11) broke away after the 30 k mark. Kigen
had brought a special lucky charm to Frankfurt: his eight year-old daughter
Patience. "Patience brought me luck. It was the first time that I brought
one of my children to a big race to Europe," said Wilfred Kigen, who has
not only a daughter but also three sons. His wife is a teacher and even
speaks German. But she could not come to Frankfurt because she is expecting
her fifth child in these days. The family lives in Ngong, about 30
kilometres away from Nairobi. "I am able to train there very well although
it is only about 1,800 metres high – lower than Eldoret or Iten."
Originally Wilfred Kigen, who is managed by the Dutch agent Gerard van de
Veen, comes from Eldoret. When he was young he had to run to school every
day – one way was a distance of 10 kilometres, so he was running 20
kilometres a day. Doing so Wilfried Kigen probably established a basis for
his career. "Maybe I would never have become a runner without this kind of
training," said Wilfred Kigen, who only started racing in his final eighth
year of school. "I wasn't bad, but I didn't always win either," said
Wilfred Kigen, whose mother was a successful runner back in the 60ies on
the track. "She ran at competitions in Uganda – I don't really know which
distances she used to run but I have seen her trophies."
It was another Kenyan world class runner who had a decisive influence on
Kigen's career: Wilson Boit Kipketer, the 3,000 m steeple chase World
Champion from 1997 who broke the world record with 7:59,08 minutes in that
year as well. He is a good friend. Kipketer, who ran 2:13:08 in the
Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon this year for 16th place, persuaded
Kigen to move to Ngong. Both are imployed by the police.
"Wilson Kigen is my cousin", Wilfred Kigen responded to the question if
there is a relationship between him and other strong Kenyan runners named
Kigen. When Wilfred Kigen had won in Frankfurt in 2005, Wilson was only
five seconds behind finishing third in 2:08:34. Next year another Kigen
could appear on the European road race circuit: "I have three sisters and
brothers. One of my brothers, Robert, is 21 years old and he runs well. He
is already on the junior team in Kenya. He might come for races in 2008."
Wilfred Kigen takes special care of Robert Kigen – the brother lives with
him in Ngong. Wilfred Kigen is also supporting the rest of his family with
the money he earns from his running. His father was a farmer, but he died
in a car accident in 1995. Being a successful runner helps the family a
lot.
For more information visit: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
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