BEIJING: 

Kenya's Samuel Kanau Wanjiru after winning the gold in the men's marathon race at the Beijing Olympics yesterday. PIC/AP

Going by the sheer dominance of Kenyans in marathons, it was always surprising to note that a Kenyan had never clinched gold in an Olympic marathon.

World half-marathon record holder Samuel Kanau Wanjiru said he was surprised too, soon after he won Kenya's first-ever marathon medal at the Olympic Games. Kenyans have twice won silver at the Games.

Wanjiru, who won the race in a Olympic record time of 2:06:32 seconds said: "Kenyans are always good marathon runners. But we have never won an Olympic marathon which is surprising. Probably, many of us are too busy running abroad. But I am very proud about what I have done today for my country."

Pushed to the limit

Wanjiru said the win was special considering that the heat and humidity was at its peak in the Chinese capital city. "In the heat it was hard. The humidity made it tough but I knew that I had to push myself to the limits if I wanted to win,"  said the 21-year-old yesterday.

Coming back to his exclusive prize, Wanjiru said it might just encourage Kenyans back home to look at the Olympic marathon more closely from now on.

"We have won many medals and a lot of us are champions in a lot of long distance races. The Olympic marathon will gain a little more significance now for Kenyans that I have won it," added Wanjiru, who broke away from the pack with a set of athletes as early as the 18th minute into the race and continued to stay among the leaders right through.

Not surprisingly, he wants to come back and win the race again.

"For now I want to relax but I want to get better and do it again next time. My next goal is to get the world record, may be next year," he said.