Wanjiru’s plaque unveiled in UK to immortalise the Olympic champ

By Joseph Ngugi in London

A commemorative plaque in honour of the late Marathon Olympic champion, Sammy Wanjiru has been unveiled in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom.

The cabinet plaque holding Sammy Wanjiru shoes was unveiled in Bedford City by Shadrack Kosgei and Phillip Langat, the two pace makers at the last London Virgin Marathon.

The cabinet holds the late Sammy Wanjiru’s training shoes, his photo and a quote from outgoing

Shadrack Kosgei (left) and Phillip Langat during the unveiling of the Samuel Wanjiru plaque in London on Monday. [Photo: Courtesy]

London Virgin Marathon Race Director Dave Bedford. Saying: "The greatest marathon runner that we have seen in the world….he had a great of fun in his character and was kind and generous with his time."

There was a minute’s silence in honour of the late Sammy Wanjiru after the unveiling. Shadrack Kosgei who has ran with Sammy on many races said. "Sammy was unique and exceptionally gifted".

Jack Waiyaki the Chair of Kenyan Community in Bedford said…" Sammy will always be remembered for the excitement he brought to the marathon world. I hope our marathoners will retain his Gold medal at the London Olympics this summer."

Earlier the Kenyan athletes joined 400m British Olympic Silver medallist Champion Lesley Owusu, 84-year-old Iva Barr, a London 2012 Olympic torch bearer, and Bedford Rugby Club players to inspire 720 school children from 24 schools across Bedford to run their last of the mile event dubbed "Running with Kenyans". The students ran 25 miles and had to do the last one with the Kenyan athletes.

Each borough school in Bedford Borough Council’s Sports Development Teams ‘Marathon Club’ project were invited to send hundreds of young people to Bedford Park to "run a Golden Mile" with two of the best marathon runners in the world.

The Kenyan marathon runners and Kenyan community had established a close relationship with Bedford since 2010, when Athletics Kenya Chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat, and Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Bedford and Kenya. The agreement covers advanced educational, cultural, business and sporting ties. Mayor Hodgson was among the guests who came to receive the visitors and children and hailed the Bedford-Kenya partnership.

Waiyaki said the local people were excited to be associated with the Kenyans through the partnership and in particular the Bedford Schools Marathon Clubs.

Waiyaki said there is heightened activity in England with Olympic Olympics in three months. The Kenyan Diaspora is also using the opportunity to market their country.

Mike Cox, a teacher at Bedford Academy which is twinned with Bishop Okiring Secondary School in Mt Elgon as part of BBC/British Council Olympics Dreams Project said: "This couldn’t get any better. Our students are excited with our partnership. We can’t wait to go to Kenya next month for the second time, it’s all fun, my Swahili is getting better by the day".