Focus: Patrick Makau Musyoki (Part 1)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon

Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Picture 1 - Patrick Makau

Patrick MAKAU Musyoki was born on 2nd March 1985, Manyanzwani, Tala Kangundo District, Eastern Province, Kenya. He used to live and train at Ngong. He manager is Ian Ladbrooke. 

It is in order to escape from poverty that made Patrick Makau take advantage of the opportunities presented by athletics to live comfortably. It was through running that he was able to help himself and his family. Makau was inspired by top athletes living at his area - 2007 Chicago Marathon champion, Patrick Ivuti, and former Rotterdam and Honolulu champion, Jimmy Muindi.   

Makau was quick to pick athletics as the way out to come out of poverty. By seeing the success of both Patrick Ivuti and Jimmy Muindi, he decided to look for success through running. Over time, Makau has done sub-60 minute more than six times.

He was from Unyuani Primary School until  1999. Later on, Makau joined the Kyeni Academy, Misiani, where he finished his 'O' Levels studies. He took to a serious form of running from 2001 when he was 14 years of age.  

Makau moved from 1500m and 5000m runner to run 5000m at District level. In 2003, he got himself qualified for the national 5000m finals in Mombasa and finished ninth.  After high school education, Muindi came forward to help Makau a career in January 2004. Muindi had spotted Makau talent and alerted the latter on this. Muindi came out with a program to assist Makau. Over time, Muindi was giving moral support rather than giving Makau a training program.

Over time, after failing his ' O' Levels exams, Makau went to Tanzania for the Nguu Ndoto 25km race in July. This was to be his competitive debut by winning the event. A month before that, in Zanzibari Half Marathon Makau did 62min 00sec.  

Makau started his 2006 season outside Africa by winning the Tarsus International Half Marathon, in Turkey, in April (1:02.42). He then met his manager Ian Ladbrooke. His manager then found Makau some races in Europe. He won the Von Berlin 25k race (1:14.08). He won a race in Bosnia, running Vidovan 10km in June. A few days later, he ran the 10km race in London and registered a 29min 52sec. In that same June, Makau won another 5000m race in the Czech Republic doing a time of 13min 39sec.

(Part 2 in Next Issue)

Note:

By Narayanan

Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.