Patrick Makau Musyoki Wins theAIMS/ASICS WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Kenyan athlete Patrick Makau Musyoki has been awarded one of the most highly coveted accolades in world road running, the AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Award. This is the first time Patrick has won the award and his success follows on from that of his compatriot, last year's winner, the late Sammy Wanjiru.

Gothenburg Half Marathon Race Director Bo Edsberger presented the AIMS/ASICS Golden Shoe award, a world accolade from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), at a short ceremony prior to the Gothenburg Half Marathon on 21 May. Makau joins fellow Kenyans Benson Masya, Paul Tergat, Josephat Kiprono & Sammy Wanjiru to have won the coveted award.

Patrick had an outstanding year last year winning the 36th edition of the City-Pier-City Half Marathon in The Hague clocking a sub-one hour time of 59:52. After this he significantly improved his marathon best to 2:04:48 to win the Rotterdam Marathon, becoming the fourth fastest runner over the history of the distance only to follow up this achievement with a subsequent win in the Berlin Marathon, clocking 2:05:08 to win his first World Marathon Major.

The AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Awards were founded in 1992 and awards are made each year via nominations from the member races of the world body The Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS). The membership totals some 300 races in over 90 countries covering every continent of the world.

Previous winners of the AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Award include Benson Masya (Kenya), Dionicio Ceron (Mexico), Vincent Rousseau (Belgium), Paul Tergat (twice – Kenya), Josia Thugwane (South Africa), Ronaldo da Costa (Brazil), Abel Anton (Spain), Gezahenge Abera (Ethiopia), Josephat Kiprono (Kenya), Khalid Kannouchi (USA), Stefano Baldini (Italy), Jaouad Gharib (Morocco), Haile Gebrselassie (thrice – Ethiopia) & Sammy Wanjiru (Kenya).

Paco Borao, World President of AIMS comments: "It is a privilege to award this honour to a great talent in distance running Patrick Makau. Patrick had an outstanding year last year and we look forward to seeing many more outstanding performances from him for some time to come. He is a worthy successor to the crown held by his countryman the late great Sammy Wanjiru. We, joined by our partners ASICS, acknowledge Patrick's rise to prominence by presenting him with this award on behalf of AIMS 300 members from around the globe."

Patrick Makau Musyoki comments: "This is my first AIMS/ASICS Athlete of the Year Award and I hope it will be the first of many. I am truly honoured for my name to be listed among some of the greatest athletes & distance runners of all time and I would like to thank AIMS and its members for their continued support.

My goal for this year is to work hard and continue my development as I still have a lot to learn, however I look forward to challenging myself and one day emulating the great achievements of those who have gone before me."

 Peter McLean

 

AIMS Athlete Info Page: Patrick Makau Musyoki

Born 2nd March 1985 in Manyanzwani, Kenya

Makau, 26, had an outstanding year last year winning the 36th edition of the City-Pier-City Half Marathon in The Hague clocking a sub-one hour time of 59:52. After this he significantly improved his marathon best to 2:04:48 to win the Rotterdam Marathon, becoming the fourth fastest runner over the history of the distance only to follow up this achievement with a subsequent win in the Berlin Marathon, clocking 2:05:08 to win his first World Marathon Major.

Racing History Personal Bests
Marathon 2:04:48 Rotterdam 2010
30km 1:28:52 Rotterdam 2009
25km 1:13:51 Rotterdam 2010
Half Marathon 58:52 Ras Al Khaimah 2009
20km 56:13 Udine 2007
15km 41:30 Ras Al Khaimah 2009
10km 27:27 Berlin 2007

 

 AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Awards Information Page

The AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Awards were founded in 1992 and are decided each year by way of nominations made by the members of the world body The Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS) member races. The membership totals some 300 races in over 90 countries covering every continent of the world.
A male and female winner are recognised each year for their outstanding athletic achievement and as ambassadors for their sport and country.
The award is sponsored by sports company ASICS and each winner is awarded a golden AS

 

Winners To Date

Year of Award	Male Winner	Female Winner	Comments
1992	Benson Masya (Kenya)	Liz McColgan (Scotland)
1993	Dionicio Ceron (Mexico)	No Award
1994	Vincent Rousseau (Belgium)	Uta Pippig (Germany)
1995	No Award	Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
1996	Paul Tergat (Kenya)	Uta Pippig (Germany)
1997	Josia Thugwane (South Africa)	Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
1998	Ronaldo da Costa (Brazil)	Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
1999	Abel Anton (Spain)	Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
2000	Gezahenge Abera (Ethiopia)	Naoko Takahashi (Japan)
2001	Josephat Kiprono (Kenya)	Catherine Ndereba (Kenya)
2002	Khalid Kannouchi (USA)	Paula Radcliffe (England)
2003	Paul Tergat (Kenya)	Paula Radcliffe (England)
2004	Stefano Baldini (Italy)	Mizuki Noguchi (Japan)
2005	Jaouad Gharib (Morocco)	Paula Radcliffe (England)
2006	Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)	Lornah Kiplagat (Netherlands)
2007	Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)	Lornah Kiplagat (Netherlands)
2008	Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)	Constantina Dita (Romania)
2009	Sammy Wanjiru (Kenya)	Mary Keitany (Kenya)
2010	Patrick Makau (Kenya)	To be announced