Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the 2008 Beijing Olympics Marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32; becoming the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold in the marathon. He became the youngest gold medallist in the marathon since 1932.
Wanjiru entering the stadium in his marathon victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Wanjiru approaching the finishing line at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Samuel Wanjiru, breaking a world record in the 2007 Fortis City-Pier-City Half Marathon
The London Marathon is an annual marathon held in London, England. It is the largest marathon in the world, with over 53,700 finishers in 2024, and 840,318 applicants for the 2025 event. Founded by athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981, it is typically held in April, although it moved to October for 2020, 2021, and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The largely flat course is set around the River Thames, starting in Blackheath and finishing at The Mall. Hugh Brasher is the current race director and Nick Bitel its chief executive.
2006 winner Felix Limo (left) and 2005, 2007 & 2008 winner Martin Lel (right).
Men's Wheelchair competitors at Shooter's Hill, 13 April 2008
The top three men, Samuel Wanjiru, Tsegay Kebede, and Jaouad Gharib, near the end of the 2009 marathon
Paula Radcliffe, women's winner of the 2005 race
