Makau pulls out of Boston as injury nightmare recurs

Former world record holder, Patrick Makau Musyoki has pulled out of the 2017 Boston Marathon due to injury.

According to an email sent by event sponsors John Hancock to American news outlets including the letsrun.com website, Makau “has withdrawn from the race due to an acute injury of the soft tissue surrounding his left knee.”

While Makau hasn’t been in his 2:03:38 life time best shape that was achieved when he set the world record at the 2011 Berlin Marathon for a number of years, he has notched successive 2:08 races in Fukuoka, winning there twice and finishing second on the other occasion.

“I have regained my shape and I believe I will have a good show in Boston. I’m not targeting the course record or specifically the top honours, but to finish within the medal bracket.

“The injury was not very serious but it slowed down my preparations. I however hope to start my season well before I come back to prepare for the second major race in my calendar this year in Berlin,” 32-year old runner told reporters last week during the launch of the inaugural Mully Half Marathon where he is among the elite guests.

The news comes as a blow to Makau, a two-time IAAF World Half Marathon silver winner after almost three years of injuries and sub-standard training and racing.

Marathon world-record-holder Dennis Kimetto now leads a field of eight men who have lifetime bests under 2:05:30 for the April 23 World Marathon Majors race in Boston.

Kimetto is a Chicago and Tokyo champion and set the world marathon standard with his 2:02:57 Berlin win in 2014.

Kimetto also holds the world 25K record. Close on his heels will be seasoned runners and fellow Kenyans Emmanuel Mutai and Sammy Kitwara.

Mutai finished second to Kimetto in the 2014 Berlin race, is a London and Amsterdam champion and earned the silver medal at the 2009 IAAF World Championships.

Kitwara has run six half marathons under one hour and is coming off a December win in Taipei.

Tags:

athletics Patrick Makau Report boston marathon Dennis Kimetto Distance running John Hancock

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