Sammy Wanjiru, 1986-2011

In brutally hot, humid conditions, Wanjiru won Kenya’s first-ever marathon gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Although his time of 2:06:32 was far shy of the world record, many have called his performance the greatest marathon ever run.

Wanjiru won back-to-back World Marathon Majors titles in 2008-9 and 2009-10. He proudly displayed the 2009 trophy with fellow champion Irina Mikitenko.

Sammy Wanjiru watched the ING New York City Marathon 2009 from the back of a convertible, reveling in the atmosphere and taking a moment to chat with American marathon legend Deena Kastor.

L-R: Sammy Wanjiru, NYRR Board of Directors Chairman George Hirsch, NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg, two-time New York City Marathon Champion German Silva.