Ekiru going for the World Marathon record

Milan Marathon winner who is also the 2019 African Games half marathon winner, Titus Ekiru, says running the fifth-fastest marathon time in May 16 when he set a new course record and a world-leading time of 2:02:57, has inspired him to go for the world record. 

The current world record time over the distance is 2:01.39 set in the Berlin Marathon by Eliud Kipchoge on 16 September 2018, an improvement of 1 minute 18 seconds over the previous record also set in the Berlin Marathon by Dennis Kimetto. 

Ekiru underwent surgery in 2020 for a fractured patella and stayed out of action for a year before resuming training in 2021 in preparation for his title defence which he did in style. He is tied fifth in the fastest marathon times with Kimetto. 

“Despite the injury and the worry that comes with running with the screws implanted on my knee, I feel I am in good form and will go for two or three more races before I can have them removed. I am taking some time off after Milan then resume training in preparation for either Chicago or London depending on what we agree on with my coach. Additionally, I believe I have what it takes and will be going for the record soon,” said the 29-year old. 

Ekiru’s story is different from that of other marathoners who hone their skills on the track and cross-country before moving to the marathon. He was a 5000m runner in his early years, while in primary school, and left his passion to engage in casual jobs to make ends meet. 

“I decided to go back to running in 2011 after being inspired by my sister Margaret Akai’s growth in the sport. I suffered an injury setback in 2014 which kept me out of action until 2016 when I ran outside the country for the first time in Morocco coming in second in 2:15:43. After that it has been constant growth, running in both full and half marathons locally and internationally,” said the athlete who believes he will eventually enter the sub-two hours list.  

In 2017, he won the Seville Marathon in Seville, Spain with a time of 2:07:42. The following year he won the Honolulu Marathon with a time of 2:09:01 and the half marathon event of the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon with a time of 1:01:02. He also won the Mexico City Marathon event with a new course record of 2:10:38. 

In 2019, he won the Milano City Marathon and he set a new course record of 2:04:46 and also won the Portugal Half Marathon and he set a new course record of 1:00:12. In December 2019, he won the Honolulu Marathon for the 2nd time with a new course record of 2:07:59.