The story, first broadcast in Germany five months ago, re-emerged in the build-up to the Frankfurt race.

German journalist Hajo Seppelt alleged that Makau and fellow Kenyan Pamela Jelimo, the Beijing 2008 Olympic 800 metres champion, had been involved in doping.

Makau, whose world record stands at 2:03:38, was annoyed not only at the allegations, but also at their timing.

"I personally have no knowledge if the story has any validity, but I know that nothing in it has anything to do with me," said Makau in an email sent to Sports News Arena by his manager Zane Branson.

"I am looking forward to a great event on a proven course and I will be racing with clear conscience.

"I find it surprising that this non-story has surfaced just a day before the Frankfurt Marathon and I felt a need to make my case clear."

Hajo Seppelt alleged that Patrick Makau and Pamela Jelimo had been involved in doping

Seppelt says he interviewed the owner of a retail drug store where doping substances are easily accessible who mentioned that Makau was one of his customers.

"The story falsely associates me with a particular retail store and claims that I am a direct customer," Makau went on.

"This is not correct.

"I have never been on the premises.

"The only thing in that shop that suggests that I have anything to do with the store is an old national newspaper clipping with my photo, taped to the wall, together with many other clippings of other athletes' races."

Makau, 27, added that the shop is frequented by athletes buying nutritional supplements.

"For the sake of clarity, the shop is the only one in Kenya which imported USN brand nutritional supplements," he explained.

"There have probably been hundreds of athletes that have bought USN products there."

He said that he had sought the advice of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) before buying the products. Chief

The women's race in Frankfurt was won by Ethiopia's Meselech Melkamu in 2:21:01 on her debut at the distance.

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