Contact: Richard Finn
rfinn@nyrrc.org
212-423-2229
AMERICAN 10,000 METER RECORD HOLDER MEBRAHTOM
KEFLEZIGHI SETS HIS SIGHTS ON THE MARATHON
NEW YORK, Sept 25 - Mebrahtom (Meb) Keflezighi, the American record holder
at 10,000 meters, reigning national champion at that distance and a member
of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team, will make his marathon debut on Sunday,
November 3rd, at the 33rd running of the New York City Marathon, it was
announced today by Allan Steinfeld, Race Director and President and CEO of
New York Road Runners.
Keflezighi (Ka-FLEZ-gee) set the American 10,000m record (27:13.98) on May
4, 2001 in Stanford breaking Mark Nenow's 15-year-old record by nearly seven
seconds. This June, he won the U.S. national championship at 10,000m, also
at Stanford, in 27:41.68.
"Some of the greatest marathon runners of all time have come from a 10,000
meter background on the track, including three-time New York City Marathon
champion Alberto Salazar, so Meb is in good company as he steps up to the
marathon distance," said Steinfeld
Keflezighi, 27, grew up in Eritrea, East Africa and became a U.S. citizen in
July, 1998. During that summer he represented his new country for the first
time at the Goodwill Games, finishing sixth (29:57.80) in the 10,000m. In
2000 he became a member of the U.S. Olympic Team, where he won the 10,000m
at the U.S. Olympic Trials (28:03.32) and despite suffering the flu, went on
to place 12th at Sydney (27:53.63).
Keflezighi, who currently resides in Mammoth Lakes, California has yet to
return to Eritrea, despite Eritrea winning independence in 1993 after a
30-year war with Ethiopia. Keflezighi graduated from UCLA in 1999 after
winning four NCAA titles (cross-country, indoor 5K, outdoor 5K and 10K).
Inaugurated in 1970 with 127 entrants, the New York City Marathon has grown
into the world's premiere road race, featuring 30,000 participants, some 2.5
million live spectators, a leading elite field, and a guaranteed prize purse
of more than $475,000. Broadcast across the nation and in 125 countries
worldwide, the 26.2-mile footrace is the United States' most watched one-day
sporting event. The New York City Marathon takes place the first Sunday in
November each year and is the premier event of New York Road Runners, the
world's most comprehensive running organization. For more information visit
www.nycmarathon.org.
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