Fabulous racing, but strong winds deny world record Ras Al Khaimah FEBRUARY 20TH 2009: Patrick Makau successfully defended his title at the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon but his chances for a new world record was denied by unseasonably strong winds off the Arabian Gulf. Deriba Merga of Ethiopia had spoken on the eve of the race of attacking Samuel Wanjiru's world record mark of 58:33 (Den Haag, 17 Mar 2007). Initially he was as good as his word, passing 5km in 13:41 and 10km in 27:42. Merga surged aggressively again at the 10km point and over the following three miles he began to open a slight gap on Patrick Makau of Kenya. Makau fought his way back to the Ethiopian and into a headwind between 16km and 18km, Makau, ever the instinctive racer, piled on the pressure to open a commanding lead. Makau stormed home in 58:52, a new course and personal record and the second fastest performance of all time. Â But the crowds around the finish were left wondering what might have been had the wind eased. Wilson Kipsang of Kenya moved past Merga in the final kilometers to take second, seven seconds behind Makau in 58:59 with Merga third in 59:18 and Wilson Chebet of Kenya fourth in 59:32, a new personal best. Makau now turns his attention to the Rotterdam Marathon in the Netherlands on April 5 and his debut at the classic distance of 42.2km. Men's Results 1 Patrick Makau (KEN) 58:52 PB 2 Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (KEN) 58:59 PB 3 Deribe Merga (ETH) 59:18 4 Wilson Chebet (KEN) 59:32 PB 5 Matthew Koech (KEN) 59:54 PB 6 Joseph Maregu (KEN) 1:00:02 7 Charles Munyeki (KEN) 1:00:11 8 Tujuba Megersa (ETH) 1:00:16 PB (Debut) 9 Chele Dechasa (ETH) 1:00:19 PB 10 Abel Kirui (KEN) 1:00:27