No world record attempt for Makau in Frankfurt

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Makau, who is eying to bounce back after he was overlooked by the Kenyan authorities in selection of the Olympic marathon team, has picked on the German's second biggest race over Berlin and Chicago. He set a world record last year in Berlin of 2:03.38.

"The race in Frankfurt is confirmed. I have made up my mind where to run and I want to win, though running a world record is not in my plans," he said Thursday in Nairobi.

"I will attempt to lower down the time in another marathon but not in Frankfurt. The course there is fast and many will be tempted² to do it, but I know it is not easy to break the world record."

Organizers of Germany's oldest city marathon, which will see its 31st edition, said they got the jewel in marathon crown in luring³ Makau, 27 to compete in Frankfurt.

"It is an honour for us that such an outstanding athlete has chosen to run at the Frankfurt marathon," said Race Director Jo Schindler.

Makau (2:03.38) broke the marathon world record in Berlin, beating superstar Haile Gebrselassie 2:03.59 mark.

The Ethiopian had entered the race as the world record holder, but Patrick Makau improved that mark by 21 seconds.

However a couple of weeks later in Frankfurt Makau had to sweat over his record where compatriot Wilson Kipsang clocked a course record of 2:03:42, just missing the mark by a mere⁴ four seconds.

Frankfurt race will be the eighth marathon in Makau's career. Makau started seven high profile road races in Germany and won all of them.

"I was disappointed for not making the Olympics. I can't fault the selection criteria⁵ of Athletics⁶ Kenya, but they took so much for granted and were not keen on the small issues."

"The Olympics are not like any other marathons, underdogs have their chances to claim the limelight and that is why Kenyans were surprised by the Ugandan in London. However a silver and bronze is not easy to get and we must be happy for that achievement," said Makau.

He warned that in future competitions, Kenya must be watchful⁷ on burning out as some of the athletes in London had competed in too many a race and could not respond when they were called to do so in the finals.

"At the Olympics, past records count for nothing and Kenyans better realize that. We need to dust up and focus on the future and hopefully we will get it right this time round," he said.

Kenya, which had athletes in four disciplines, could only get medals in track and field amassing⁸ 11 - two gold, four silver and five bronze.

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