Which runner won the men’s marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

Samuel Wanjiru won the men’s marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Wanjiru represented Kenya and finished in 2:06:32, setting an Olympic record in the event. His victory came in hot, humid conditions that made the race especially demanding. He attacked decisively during the final stages rather than waiting for a conventional sprint.

The Beijing marathon was Wanjiru’s first Olympic marathon, and his performance established him as one of the leading distance runners of his generation. He later won major city marathons in London and Chicago.

The Olympic record stood for several Games afterward. Wanjiru is sometimes confused with other Kenyan marathon champions, including Eliud Kipchoge, who won Olympic gold in 2016 and 2020, but Kipchoge did not win the 2008 Olympic race.