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Meb Keflezighi Named USATF's Athlete of the Week
Photos of Meb Keflezighi by www.photorun.net
From USA Track & Field
November 4, 2009
Indianapolis, IN
2004 Olympic marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi (34) of Mammoth Lakes, CA has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1.
Meb Keflezighi ran a brilliant strategic race, pulling away from four-time Boston Marathon Champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya in the final two miles to win in a personal-best time of 2:09:15. The win gave Keflezighi the USA marathon championship and his fourth national title of 2009, and he became the first American man to win in New York since Alberto Salazar's 1982 victory.
Meb Keflezighi earned a total prize-money payday of $170,000, including $130,000 for the overall win and an additional $40,000 for the U.S. title. He also finished atop the USA Running Series rankings for 2009, earning an additional $6,000. He was joined by five additional American men in the top 10 in a banner day for U.S. men's distance running.
Meb Keflezighi appeared Monday evening, November 2, on "Late Night with David Letterman" to give the "Top Ten List." Watch the Video
Also in New York on Sunday, Joan Benoit Samuelson became the fastest female marathoner over age 50, finishing in 2:49:09. The 52-year-old's performance came 25 years after she became the first women's Olympic marathon gold medalist at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
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