Patrick Makau to participate in Fukuoka Marathon

By Kennedy Langat

Former Marathon world record-holder Patrick Makau has confirmed participation in this year’s Fukuoka Marathon set to be held on the 4th of next month in Japan.

The 31-year-old Kenyan, will be aiming for a third victory after doing so in 2015 and 2014.

The last man to win three times in a row was Japan’s Toshihiko Seko, who was victorious in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

Makau is one of three men in the field with a personal best time of 2 hours 05 seconds. World Silver medalist Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia and James Kwambai of Kenya will be competing in the race the first time.

Tsegay has a best of time of 2 hours 04 minutes and 48 seconds and he finished third at this year’s Boston marathon.

Kwambai’s personal best is 2 hours 04 minutes and 27 seconds and earlier this year he won the Daegu Marathon in 2 hours 10 minutes and 46 seconds.

The field also includes Eritrea’s Yared Asmerom, Polish, Henryk Szost and Japanese racer Yuki Kawauchi.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s 2012 Olympic 10,000m Bronze medalist, Tariku Bekele and Kenya’s 2015 Marugame Half Marathon champion Paul Kuira will be making their marathon debuts.