makau returned to the hague for the city-pier-city loop in 2010 and won for a second time, clocking another sub-one hour time of 59:52. after this he significantly improved his marathon best to 2:04:48 to win the rotterdam marathon, becoming the fourth fastest runner over the history of the distance. he opted to stay away from the circuit and focus himself entirely on preparations for the berlin marathon. a rematch with rotterdam runner-up geoffrey mutai saw the two take the same positions again. rain dampened the prospect of a record but makau out-sprinted mutai at the finish to clock 2:05:08 and win his first world marathon major. in recognition of his performances that year, he was selected as the aims world athlete of the year in a poll of race organisers.