Career
He was the first athlete to run a half marathon in less than one hour by running 59:47 in Milan on 3 April 1993. His world record was broken five years later by fellow Kenyan Paul Tergat. At the Chicago Marathon in 1999, Tanui helped spur Khalid Khannouchi to a new world record, eventually finishing 2nd in 2:06:16, which was a Kenyan national record and the third fastest marathon in history at that point.
He was still active in 2004 when he competed at the Seoul International Marathon.
He retired later due to a knee injury. Today he operates a training camp in Kaptagat.
He was involved in a serious car accident near Nakuru in February 2010 suffering major injuries to his leg and chest. David Lelei, another former runner, was driving Tanui"s car and died in the accident.
