Meb Keflezighi

Keflezighi and his family were refugees{{cite news |url=http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/21/meb-keflezighi-wins-boston-marathon/ |title=Meb Keflezighi stuns to win Boston Marathon |work=NBC Sports |date=April 21, 2014}} from modern-day Eritrea (then part of Ethiopia), who came to the United States via Italy in 1987. He is one of ten children.May, Peter. [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/sports/meb-keflezighi-an-american-wins-boston-marathon.html?_r=0 "A Year Later, It’s Old Glory in Boston Marathon."] The New York Times. April 21, 2014

Keflezighi began running while a student at Memorial Academy in San Diego, where he ran a 5:10 mile before going on to win both the 1600 meters and 3200 meters at the CIF California State Championships in 1994 for San Diego High School.{{cite web |url=http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/1994/stateres.htm |title=California State Meet Results – 1915 to present |first=Hank |last=Lawson |access-date=December 25, 2012}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egl9It5wqCE See YouTube highlights]. Youtube.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014. Keflezighi became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105319/1/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105140831/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105319/1/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 5, 2009 |title=I Am An American |last=Layden |first=Tim |date=October 31, 2005 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 2, 2009}} – the same year in which he graduated from UCLA. While at UCLA Keflezighi received numerous All-American awards and other accolades. He won four NCAA championships (the 5k and 10k outdoor and 5k indoor){{cite web |last=Bowman |first=Kevin |url=http://dailybruin.com/2014/04/22/ucla-alum-meb-keflezighi-wins-boston-marathon-2/ |title=UCLA alum Meb Keflezighi wins Boston Marathon |publisher=Daily Bruin |date=2013-04-22 |access-date=2014-04-23}} during the 1996–97 season, including the cross-country title, spanning from the track and field season in the spring to the cross country season in the fall.

He was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla-alumnus-meb-keflezighi-wins-boston-marathon|title=UCLA alumnus Meb Keflezighi wins Boston Marathon|last=Newsroom|first=UCLA|website=UCLA Newsroom|language=en|access-date=2019-02-25}}

Keflezighi is a three-time national champion in cross country running, having won the USA Cross Country Championships in 2001, 2002 and 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID=USATF_2009_02_07_17_12_05 |title=Keflezighi, Brown take open titles at USA Cross Country Championships |publisher=USATF |date=February 7, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2010}}

His fastest times for some standard distances are 3:42.29 for 1500 m, set in 1998; 13:11.77 for 5000 m, set in 2000; 27:13.98 for 10,000 m, set in 2001 (an American record which stood until 2010);{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/01/SP7L1D8BMG.DTL |title=Solinsky sets 10,000-meter American record |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |first=John |last=Crumpacker |date=May 2, 2010}} and 2:08:37 for the marathon, set at the 2014 Boston Marathon.

On October 11, 2010, he released his autobiography, Run to Overcome, which was published by Tyndale House Publishers. The book, co-authored with noted sports writer Dick Patrick, included recollections about major milestones in his life, such as his Olympic competitions and other running highlights, as well as his early years, leading up to the present day. He is also the driving force behind the MEB Foundation, the "MEB" standing for "Maintaining Excellent Balance," which principally promotes healthy living, and other positive lifestyle choices and motivation for school-age youth.

Despite his success, Keflezighi's sponsor Nike did not renew his long-running contract in 2011. As a result, Keflezighi competed as an unsponsored athlete. In December 2011, Keflezhigi was signed up by sportswear company Skechers, whom he has represented since.{{cite news |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303592404577363691089413680 |title=Skechers Sets New Pace on Sponsors |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |first=Sara |last=Germano |date=April 24, 2012}} In 2013, Keflezighi signed with elliptical cycling company ElliptiGO.{{cite web |url=http://running.competitor.com/2013/01/news/meb-keflezighi-joins-elliptigo-project_64648 |title=Meb Keflezighi Joins ElliptiGO Project |work=Competitor.com |access-date=April 21, 2015}} Other current sponsors in 2014 include PowerBar, Sony, Oakley, Inc., Garmin, USANA Health Sciences, Generation UCAN, CEP Compression, New York Athletic Club, and KRAVE Jerky.{{cite web |url=http://marathonmeb.com |title=Official Website of Meb Keflezighi |work=Official website of 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2009 NYC Marathon and 2014 Boston Marathon Champion, Meb Keflezighi |access-date=April 21, 2015}}

On April 21, 2014, Keflezighi became the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983, besting many of the heavy African favorites in a new personal best of 2:08:37. With this victory, Keflezighi became the only Marathoner in history to win the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and an Olympic Medal.

At the end of 2014, Keflezighi was selected for the Jesse Owens Award as the USATF Athlete of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/News/Keflezighi,-Simpson-Named-2014-USATF-Jesse-Owens-a.aspx |title=USA Track & Field – Keflezighi, Simpson Named 2014 USATF Jesse Owens and Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athletes of the Year |work=usatf.org |access-date=April 21, 2015}}

; 2004

• In the 2004 Summer Olympics, Keflezighi finished second in the men's marathon, behind Italian runner Stefano Baldini winning a silver medal in a personal season's best time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 29 seconds. He finished 42 seconds ahead of Brazilian Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who was leading the marathon until being pushed off the course by protester Neil Horan.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/sports/summer-2004-games-marathon-a-spectator-disrupts-the-marathon-with-a-shove.html?pagewanted=all |title=Summer 2004 Games: Marathon; A Spectator Disrupts The Marathon With a Shove |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=August 30, 2004 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=November 1, 2009}} This was the first medal won by an American man in the Olympic marathon since Frank Shorter won the gold in the 1972 Summer Olympics and took the silver medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/01/meb-keflezighi-nyc-marath_n_341444.html |title=Meb Keflezighi Wins NYC Marathon |agency=Associated Press |work=Huffington Post |access-date=November 1, 2009}}

;2007

• Keflezighi broke his hip during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials in Central Park. He finished in eighth place and did not qualify for the team. During the race, his friend and training partner Ryan Shay died of a heart attack.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-10-27-keflezighi-new-york_N.htm |title=Marathoner Keflezighi carries somber memories of New York |last=Patrick |first=Dick |date=October 27, 2009 |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=November 1, 2009}}

;2009

• He won the 2009 New York City Marathon, setting a personal best of 2:09:15. Keflezighi was the first American to win the marathon since 1982.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/sports/02men.html?_r=1&hp |title=Keflezighi's 'U.S.A.' Breaks the Tape |last=Zinser |first=Lynn |date=November 1, 2009 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=November 1, 2009}}

;2010

• On April 19, 2010 he ran his third fastest time of 2:09:26 while finishing 5th in the 114th Boston Marathon, despite training at half his usual mileage with a knee injury. He ran with the leaders for much of the race, before slowing at the finish.{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?duid=USATF_2010_04_19_12_02_56 |title=Cheruiyot breaks CR in Boston; Hall fastest American ever at race |date=April 19, 2010 |publisher=USATF}}
• He ran the San Jose Half Marathon as part of his preparation towards a New York title defense and he comfortably won by a margin of three minutes, finishing in 1:01:45.{{cite web |last=Miyamae |first=Amana |date=October 4, 2010 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/WHM10/news/kind=100/newsid=58441.html |title=Keflezighi defends title at San Jose Half Marathon |publisher=IAAF |access-date=October 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106093711/http://www.iaaf.org/WHM10/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D58441.html |archive-date=November 6, 2010 |url-status=dead }}
• He ran a PR in the 2010 New York Marathon of 2:09:13, placing sixth place and the first U.S. finisher.

;2012

• On January 14, 2012, he won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trial in Houston with a time of 2:09:08, which was a new personal best by 5 seconds. He is the oldest winner of the Olympic Trials Marathon at age 36.{{cite web |url=http://usatf.org/News/Keflezighi;-Flanagan-win-U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials-.aspx |title=Keflezighi; Flanagan win U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon |publisher=USATF |date=January 14, 2012 |access-date=April 21, 2014}}
• On August 12, 2012, Keflezighi finished fourth in the 2012 Summer Olympics Marathon with a time of 2:11:06.

;2013

• On June 22, 2013, Keflezighi finished second in the US Half marathon Championships held around Duluth, Minnesota in 1:01:22.{{cite web |url=http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250603-Outdoor-Track-and-Field-on-Flotrack-2013/article/21269-RESULTS-2013-USA-Half-Marathon-Championships#.U1XdYPldWSo |title=Results: 2013 USA Half Marathon Championships |publisher=Flotrack |date=June 22, 2013 |access-date=April 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011946/http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250603-Outdoor-Track-and-Field-on-Flotrack-2013/article/21269-RESULTS-2013-USA-Half-Marathon-Championships#.U1XdYPldWSo |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/mebrahtom-keflezighi-136180#progression |title=Athlete profile for Mebrahtom Keflezighi |publisher=IAAF |access-date=April 22, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=2013-grandma-s-recap |title=Grandmas Marathon |access-date=April 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425220500/http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=2013-grandma-s-recap |archive-date=April 25, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}

;2014

File:Keflezighi.jpg

• On January 19, Keflezighi won the USA Half Marathon Championships in a time of 1:01:23.
• On April 21, he won the 2014 Boston Marathon, the first American male to do so since 1983, and first American since 1985, with an official time of 2:08:37.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2014/04/21/meb-keflezighi-boston-marathon-shalane-flanagan/7962779 |title=American Meb Keflezighi wins Boston Marathon |date=April 21, 2014 |newspaper=USA Today |first=Kelly |last=Whiteside |access-date=April 21, 2014}} The race was two weeks before his 39th birthday, making him the oldest winner of the Boston Marathon since at least 1930.
• On July 4, he ran in the Kilometer Kids Charity Chase, a part of the AJC Peachtree Road Race, in order to raise funds for the Atlanta Track Club's youth running program.{{cite web |url=http://atlantatrackclub.org/community/kilometerkidscharitychase |title=Atlanta Running Club – Home of the AJC Peachtree Road Race – Atlanta Track Club |work=atlantatrackclub.org |access-date=April 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715040324/http://atlantatrackclub.org/community/kilometerkidscharitychase |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}
• On November 2, Keflezighi finished 4th in 2:13:20 at the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon.
• At the end of the season USATF selected his Boston victory as the Inspirational Performance of the Year. Later at the same ceremony, he was selected as the winner of the 2014 Jesse Owens Award.

;2015

• On April 20, he came in eighth place in the 2015 Boston Marathon, crossing the finish line hand-in-hand with elite female runner Hilary Dionne.{{cite news |title=Meb creates special finish line moment |newspaper=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/04/20/meb-creates-special-finish-line-moment/uGdKV8bTWh44H2u9X6j7BI/story.html |access-date=April 21, 2015 |first=Rachel |last=Bowers |date=April 20, 2015}}
• In May 2015, Keflezighi marked his Masters debut with a 1:02:29 at the Suja Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Half Marathon, which also served as the U.S. Masters National Championships. His time earned him the national title, and a second place overall finish.Competitor.com. [http://running.competitor.com/2015/05/news/meb-keflezighi-has-sparkling-masters-debut-at-rock-n-roll-san-diego_129158 "Meb Keflezighi Has Sparkling Masters Debut at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego"], "Competitor.com", 31 May 2015. Retrieved on 3 July 2015.
• On November 1, he came in seventh place in the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon with an official time of 2:13:32;{{cite web |title=TCS New York City Marathon 2015 Live Results |url=http://liveresults.nyrr.org/e/NY2015#/leaderboard/top-men-usa-marathon/FINISH |website=New York Road Runners |access-date=1 November 2015}} beating the former U.S. Masters Record by 20 seconds.{{cite web |last1=Gambaccini |first1=Peter |title=Meb Keflezighi Breaks U.S. Masters Record at NYC Marathon |url=http://www.runnersworld.com/new-york-city-marathon/meb-keflezighi-breaks-us-masters-record-at-nyc-marathon |website=Runner's World |date=November 2015 |publisher=Rodale Inc. |access-date=1 November 2015}}

;2016

• On 13 February 2016, Keflezighi placed second at the US Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing in 2:12:20, one minute behind Galen Rupp, on a warm day in Los Angeles.[http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials---Marathon/Results.aspx 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon/Results]
• On August 21, 2016, Keflezighi finished 33rd in the 2016 Summer Olympics Marathon with a time of 2:16:46 after dealing with stomach problems in the second half of the race and stopping 7 times. He slipped right before the finish line but turned it into push ups.

Keflezighi uses nine-day training cycles instead of traditional training weeks, which he says allows him to concentrate on training while also allowing himself to recover.{{cite web |url=http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/how-meb-keflezighi-trained-to-win-the-boston-marathon?page=single |title=How Meb Keflezighi Trained to Win the Boston Marathon |date=May 2, 2014 |work=Runner's World & Running Times |access-date=April 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430095059/http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/how-meb-keflezighi-trained-to-win-the-boston-marathon?page=single |archive-date=April 30, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} His training is composed of tempo runs, intervals, long runs and cross-training. In the weeks leading up to the 2014 Boston Marathon, he ran 2–3 times a day, and used his ElliptiGO for 10–20 mile cross-training rides to avoid injuries.{{cite web |url=http://mebminutes.runnerspace.com/ |title=Meb Minutes |work=RunnerSpace.com |access-date=April 21, 2015}} Additionally, he tries to keep himself healthy with daily core-strengthening exercises, stretching, altitude training, tune-up races, and a high-protein diet with 5 servings of fruit.

• In 2011, Sony released a special-edition Meb Keflezighi 2GB W Series Walkman MP3 Player. It came pre-loaded with audio tips, along with a booklet containing tips on running, nutrition, stretching and more.{{cite web |url=http://store.sony.com/nwz-w262-wearable-walkman-mp3-player-zid27-NWZW262MEB/cat-27-catid-EOL-Portable-MP3-Players-Docks |title=2GB W Series Walkman Meb Keflezighi – NWZW262MEB Review – Sony Store U.S. – Sony US |author=Baddood |date=May 10, 2013 |work=Sony US |access-date=April 21, 2015}} The product is now discontinued.
• On October 15, 2013, Skechers debuted the limited-edition GOmeb line of athletic shoes,{{Cite web |last=Metzler |first=Brian |date=2013-10-29 |title=Meb Keflezighi's Skechers NYC Marathon Shoe |url=https://www.podiumrunner.com/gear/first-look-mebs-nyc-marathon-shoe/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=PodiumRunner}} which features the official shoe of Keflezighi, the GOrun Speed.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-08 |title=Skechers Extends Contract with Meb Keflezighi |url=https://fdra.org/latest-news/skechers-extends-contract-with-meb-keflezighi/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=FDRA}} The line commemorates his wins in both the 2009 New York City Marathon and 2014 Boston Marathon.
• On July 2, 2014, a limited-edition 'Meb 8S' ElliptiGO was released to commemorate his 2014 Boston Marathon victory. The bike features his motto "Run To Win" and his signature, along with a patriotic-themed paint job.{{cite web |url=http://www.elliptigo.com/ElliptiGO-8S-Meb-Edition |title=ElliptiGO 8S "Meb Edition" |work=elliptigo.com |date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=April 21, 2015}}

Keflezighi lives and trains in Tampa,{{cite tweet|number=1162372630592311296|user=runmeb|title=For almost 32 yrs, CA has been home. Thanks to my families, friends, teammates, schoolmates & the community for mol…|date=August 16, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.outsideonline.com/health/running/meb-keflezighi-racism-running/|title="This Has Been Happening for a Long, Long Time"|date=June 10, 2020}} where he moved in 2019 from his long-time home in San Diego. Keflezighi also previously trained in Mammoth Lakes, California,{{cite news |author=Baxter, Kevin |date=March 25, 2012 |title=Peak fitness: Marathoner Meb Keflezighi and other U.S. runners have found a high-altitude mecca where they are raising the country's Olympic hopes |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=C1}} and is a member of the New York Athletic Club.{{cite news |author1=Fermino, Jennifer |author2=Ford, Beverly |date=April 22, 2014 |title=Soaring triumph of spirit in Boston Marathon celebrates life: Winner honors bombing vics |newspaper=Daily News |page=4}}

Keflezighi is represented by his brother Merhawi, who as a UCLA undergraduate was a student manager for the Bruin men's basketball team (head student manager in 2001–02) and is a 2006 graduate of the UCLA School of Law. Keflezighi and his wife Yordanos married in November 2004 and have three daughters: Sara, Fiyori, and Yohana.{{cite web |url=http://m.runnersworld.com/races/how-meb-met-his-match?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-RunningTimes-_-Content-Races-_-MebsWife |title=How Meb Met His Match |work=Runners World |first=Sarah |last=Butler |date=May 5, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/meb-keflezighi-deeply-religious-christian-becomes-first-american-in-30-years-to-win-boston-marathon-118340/ |title=Meb Keflezighi, Deeply Religious Christian, Becomes First American in 30 Years to Win Boston Marathon |work=The Christian Post |first=Nicola |last=Menzie |date=April 21, 2014}}

Keflezighi is a Catholic.{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704204304574545691839032268 |title=Running Man: The New York City marathon champion on running, religion and what it means to be an American. |work=The Wall Street Journal |first=Bari |last=Weiss |date=November 23, 2009 |access-date=2017-11-19}}{{Cite web |title=Meb Keflezighi Gets Married |url=https://www.letsrun.com/2005/mebmarried.php |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=www.letsrun.com}}

Keflezighi was recognized as an Outstanding American by Choice by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2017.{{cite web |title=2017 Outstanding American by Choice Recipients |url=https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/outstanding-americans-choice/2017-outstanding-american-choice-recipients |website=United States Citizenship and Immigration Services |date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2018}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Asmara

Category:American male marathon runners

Category:Eritrean male long-distance runners

Category:Eritrean emigrants to the United States

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1999 Pan American Games

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2000 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Category:Eritrean refugees

Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni

Category:New York City Marathon male winners

Category:UCLA Bruins men's track and field athletes

Category:Track and field athletes from California

Category:Eritrean Christians

Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in track and field

Category:Boston Marathon male winners

Category:Sportspeople from Mammoth Lakes, California

Category:Pan American Games track and field athletes for the United States

Category:San Diego High School alumni

Category:NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners

Category:NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships winners

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:20th-century American sportsmen