In memory of Kenya’s brightest running star and popular hero who tragically died at the age of 24 earlier this year.

Wanjiru lived to run. He was Kenya’s brightest star. With an economic action, powerful legs, mental tenacity and the lung capacity of a racehorse, he was, says his coach, Claudio Berardelli, “almost the perfect, three-dimensional athlete”.

He quickly became a national hero. By the age of 18 he had started the clock to some extraordinary times and in 2008 he ran the fastest Olympic time ever in hot and humid conditions that encouraged a slow and tactical race.

At the shockingly young age of 24 Wanjiru died from a fall from the balcony of his house. The exact circumstances have been unclear.  Police initially believed that is was suicide, but Wanjiru’s mother believes that he was murdered.

Wanjiru was buried in the back garden of his farm. A pink marble headstone bears the legend:

‘In loving memory of Samuel Kamau Wanjiru. You fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. You will live forever within our hearts’.

The world’s most prestigious races are dominated by East African athletes, who, by dint of their natural physique, altitude training, and cultural affinity with distance running, have redefined the sport – 46 of the 50 quickest marathons of all time have been run by Kenians or Ethiopians.

Kenya’s new great hope is Mathew Kisorio, currently trained by Wanjiru’s coach Berardelli.

 

Via: Sunday Times Magazine