Press Release - World Marathon Majors - 5/16/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     World Marathon Majors Press Release and Tribute to Sammy Wanjiru

Sammy Wanjiru   1986-2011

World Marathon Majors is saddened by the news of the death of Sammy Wanjiru 
on May 15th. 

Wanjiru was an incredible marathon talent with a ferocious racing style. He
was twice the World Marathon Majors Series Champion in 2008-2009 and in
2009-2010.

He was the Olympic Champion in the Marathon in Beijing in 2008, setting an
Olympic Record of 2:06:32 in very difficult hot and humid weather
conditions. He was twice the winner of Chicago Marathon, and once the
winner of London Marathon, and also finished second at the London Marathon.
He held the World Junior Record for 10,000m on the track, running 26:41.75
in 2005. He twice held the World Record for the half marathon.

Carey Pinkowski, Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
said: "We are truly saddened by the news of the recent death of Sammy
Wanjiru. He was a magnificent athlete who competed at the highest level
here in Chicago, leaving a championship legacy at our event. The sport of
marathon running has suffered a tragic loss, and he will truly be missed by
all who knew him in Chicago. Our thoughts and prayers are with his young
family."

David Bedford, Race Director of the Virgin London Marathon said: "On behalf
of the Race Directors of the World Marathon Majors' events, our loss of
Samuel is immense. He was in my opinion the best marathon runner ever and
was likely to break the World Marathon Record....his record speaks for
itself.  London will miss this great man who was always of generous spirit
and considerate. RIP Samuel."

Sammy Wanjiru's marathon record:

Five wins in seven marathon races.

Wanjiru made his marathon debut at the Fukuoka Marathon on December 2, 
2007, winning it impressively with a course record of 2:06:39

In 2008 Wanjiru came second at the Flora London Marathon in 2:05:24

Olympic Marathon Champion 2008, Beijing in 2:06:32 (Olympic Record)

In 2009 he set his career best winning the Flora London Marathon in 2:05:10 
- then a course record.

In 2009 he was the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Champion in 2:05:41

In April 2010 he did not finish the Virgin London Marathon. It was the only 
time he failed to complete a marathon.

In October 2010 he repeated as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 
Champion in 2:06:23 after an epic race with Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede.

He was the World Marathon Majors Series Champion 2008-2009

He was the World Marathon Majors Series Champion 2009-2010

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