Revision 838070674 of "Meb Keflezighi" on enwiki

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox athlete
|name           = Meb Keflezighi
|image          = 16 02 13 OlympicTrials-0144.jpg
|caption        = Meb Keflezighi at the 2016 Olympic Team Trials
| nationality = [[Americans|American]]
|residence      = [[San Diego, California]]<ref name=SanDiegoResidence>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/04/21/305639766/america-s-meb-keflezighi-wins-an-emotional-boston-marathon|title=America's Meb Keflezighi Wins An Emotional Boston Marathon|first=Bill|last=Chappell|work=[[NPR]]|date=April 21, 2014|accessdate=April 25, 2014}}</ref>
|event          = [[Marathon]], [[10000&nbsp;m]]
|alias          = 
|club           = [[New York Athletic Club]]
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1975|05|05|}}
|coach          = [[Bob Larsen]]
|birth_place    = [[Asmara]], [[Eritrea]]<ref name=sport-ref/>
|collegeteam    = [[UCLA Bruins]]
|height         = {{convert|5|ft|5|in|m}}
|weight         = {{convert|127|lb|kg}}
|website        = http://www.marathonmeb.com/
|turnedpro      =  
|retired        =
|pb             = '''[[1500 meters]]''': 3:42.29<ref name="All-Athletics">{{cite web|url=http://www.all-athletics.com/node/89120|author=All-Athletics|title=Profile of Mebrahtom Keflezighi}}</ref> <br> '''[[Mile run|Mile]]''': 4:02.79<ref name="All-Athletics"/> <br> '''[[5000 meters]]''': 13:11.77<ref name="All-Athletics"/> <br> '''[[10,000 meters]]''': 27:13.98<ref name="All-Athletics"/> <br> '''[[Marathon]]''': 2:08:37<ref name="All-Athletics"/>
|olympics       = 2000 '''10000&nbsp;m''', 12th, <br />2004 '''Marathon'''{{Silver medal}}, <br />2012 '''Marathon''', 4th,<ref name=sport-ref>[https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ke/meb-keflezighi-1.html Meb Keflezighi]. sports-reference.com</ref> <br /> 2016 '''Marathon''', 33rd
|worlds         = 2001, 10000 m 23rd <br /> 2003, 10000 m, 16th
| nationals     = [[NCAA]] cross-country <br>NCAA 10,000&nbsp;m (outdoors)<br>NCAA 5,000&nbsp;m (indoors)<br>NCAA 5,000&nbsp;m (outdoors)
|highestranking = 
|coaching       =
|medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon|Marathon]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Marathon Majors]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[New York City Marathon|2009 New York City]] | [[New York City Marathon|Marathon]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[2014 Boston Marathon|2014 Boston]] | [[Boston Marathon|Marathon]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[New York City Marathon|2004 New York City]] | [[New York City Marathon|Marathon]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[New York City Marathon|2005 New York City]] | [[New York City Marathon|Marathon]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[Boston Marathon|2006 Boston]] | [[Boston Marathon|Marathon]]}}
| show-medals   = yes
}}
{{Contains Ethiopic text}}
'''Mebrahtom "Meb" Keflezighi''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɛ|b|_|k|ə|ˈ|f|l|ɛ|z|ɡ|i}}; [[Ge'ez alphabet|Ge'ez]]: መብራህቶም ክፍልእዝጊ, ''Mebrāhtōm Kifl'izgī''; born May 5, 1975) is a retired Eritrean-born American [[Long-distance track event|long distance runner]]. He is the [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon|2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon]] and finished in fourth place in the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. He won the [[New York City Marathon|2009 New York City Marathon]] on November 1, 2009, and the [[2014 Boston Marathon]] on April 21, 2014, becoming the first American man to win each race since 1982 and 1983, respectively. Keflezighi is a graduate of [[UCLA]] where he won four NCAA championships competing for the [[UCLA Bruins]] track and field team. He came in fourth in the [[2014 New York City Marathon]] on November 2, 2014, eighth in the [[2015 Boston Marathon]] on April 20, 2015 and second in the [[2016 United States Olympic Trials (track and field)|2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials]] to qualify for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite serial | title = 3-Time Olympic Marathoner Meb Keflezighi Places 2nd at U.S. Olympic Trials in Downtown L.A. | url = http://ktla.com/2016/02/14/3-time-olympic-marathoner-meb-keflezighi-places-2nd-at-u-s-olympic-trials-in-downtown-l-a/ | series = KTLA 5 News | station = [[KTLA]] | last = Mecham | first = Dave (anchor) | date = February 13, 2016 | access-date = February 16, 2016 }}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Keflezighi and his family were [[refugee]]s<ref>{{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}}</ref> from  [[Eritrea]], who came to the [[United States]] via [[Italy]] in 1987. He is one of ten children.<ref name=May>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</ref>

Meb was born in Eritrea on May 5, 1975, the third son of Russom and Awetash Keflezighi. At the time, Eritrea was embroiled in an often-brutal 30-yr war for liberation from Ethiopia (Eritrea finally achieved independence in 1993), and Russom was a liberation supporter. This meant that he sometimes had to leave his home in Adi Beyani to escape Ethiopian soldiers and their brutal massacres. Meb recalls that his childhood included regular encounters with death and dismemberment of his Eritrean friends and neighbors. He didn't see a car until he was 10 yrs old. Thinking it a death machine, he took flight. "That was one of the races I lost," he once told the NY Times. Awetash feared that her husband would be killed, and eventually convinced him to flee Ethiopia for a better life. He ended up in Milan, Italy, for 5 yrs, sending money home until he could afford to bring the family to Italy. That reunion took place in 1986, and afforded Meb his first chance to watch TV. He couldn't figure out how the actors got inside the small box.

A year later, the Keflezighis moved to San Diego, arriving on October 21, 1987, and eventually settling into a 3-bedroom apartment that now held 8 family members, including the 6 children. Eventually, the Keflezighis would have 10 children. Russom worked as many jobs as he could find, but insisted that his children focus their attention on schoolwork. Meb 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 Meet|CIF California State Championships]] in 1994 for [[San Diego High School]].<ref name=May /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/1994/stateres.htm |title=California State Meet Results – 1915 to present |first=Hank |last=Lawson |accessdate=December 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egl9It5wqCE See YouTube highlights]. Youtube.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014.</ref> Keflezighi became a [[naturalized citizen]] of the United States in 1998<ref name="si_10312005">{{cite journal |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105319/1/index.htm |title=I Am An American |last=Layden |first=Tim |date=October 31, 2005 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=November 2, 2009}}</ref> – the same year in which he graduated from [[UCLA Bruins|UCLA]]. While at UCLA Keflezighi received numerous [[All-American]] awards and other accolades.<ref name="ap_11_01_2009" /> He won four NCAA championships ([[NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship|the 5k and 10k outdoor]] and [[NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship|5 k indoor]])<ref name=bruin-ucla>{{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 |accessdate=2014-04-23}}</ref> 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.<ref name=bruin-ucla/>

He was inducted into the [[UCLA Bruins#UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame|UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame]] in 2010.

==Career==
Keflezighi is a three-time national champion in [[cross country running]], having won the [[USA Cross Country Championships]] in 2001, 2002 and 2009.<ref name=2009Ed>{{cite web |url=http://www.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 |accessdate=February 19, 2010}}</ref>

His fastest times for some standard distances are 3:42.29 for [[1500 metres|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);<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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, Inc.|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2013, Keflezighi signed with elliptical cycling company [[ElliptiGO]].<ref>{{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|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref>

On April 21, 2014, Meb 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, Meb 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, Meb was selected for the [[Jesse Owens Award]] as the [[USATF]] Athlete of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.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|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref>

===2004–2009===
; 2004
*In the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], Keflezighi finished second in the [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon|men's marathon]], 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 [[Brazil]]ian [[Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima]], who was leading the marathon until being pushed off the course by protester [[Neil Horan]].<ref name="nyt_2004_8_30">{{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 |accessdate=November 1, 2009}}</ref> This was the first medal won by an American man in the Olympic marathon since [[Frank Shorter]] won the [[Gold medal|gold]] in the [[1972 Summer Olympics]] and took the silver medal in the [[1976 Summer Olympics]] in [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada.<ref name="ap_11_01_2009">{{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 |accessdate=November 1, 2009}}</ref><ref name="nyt_2004_8_30" />

;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.<ref name="usa_today_10272009">{{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 |accessdate=November 1, 2009}}</ref>

;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.<ref name="nyt_2009_nymara_recap">{{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 |accessdate=November 1, 2009}}</ref>

===2010–present===
;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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.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}}</ref> 
* 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.<ref>{{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]] |accessdate=October 4, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106093711/http://www.iaaf.org/WHM10/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D58441.html |archivedate=November 6, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> 
*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.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=April 21, 2014}}</ref>
*On August 12, 2012, Keflezighi finished fourth in the [[Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon|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.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=April 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/mebrahtom-keflezighi-136180#progression |title=Athlete profile for Mebrahtom Keflezighi |publisher=IAAF |accessdate=April 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=2013-grandma-s-recap |title=Grandmas Marathon |accessdate=April 22, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425220500/http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=2013-grandma-s-recap |archivedate=April 25, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

;2014
[[File:Keflezighi.jpg|thumb|Meb Keflezighi accepting the 2014 Jesse Owens Award]]
* On January 19, Meb 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.<ref>{{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 |accessdate=April 21, 2014}}</ref> The race was two weeks before his 39th birthday, making him the oldest winner of the Boston Marathon since at least 1930.<ref name=May />
*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.<ref>{{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|accessdate=April 21, 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715040324/http://atlantatrackclub.org/community/kilometerkidscharitychase|archivedate=July 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* On November 2, Meb 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.<ref>{{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|accessdate=April 21, 2015|first=Rachel|last=Bowers|date=April 20, 2015}}</ref>
*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.<ref>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.</ref>
*On November 1, he came in seventh place in the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon with an official time of 2:13:32;<ref>{{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|publisher=New York Road Runners|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref> beating the former U.S. Masters Record by 20 seconds.<ref>{{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|publisher=Rodale Inc.|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>

;2016
* On 13 February 2016, Meb 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]].<ref>[http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials---Marathon/Results.aspx 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon/Results]</ref>
* 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.

==Training==
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.<ref name="runnersworld.com">{{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|accessdate=April 21, 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430095059/http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/how-meb-keflezighi-trained-to-win-the-boston-marathon?page=single|archivedate=April 30, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mebminutes.runnerspace.com/|title=Meb Minutes|work=RunnerSpace.com|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="runnersworld.com"/>

==Products==
*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.<ref>{{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|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref> The product is now discontinued.
*On October 15, 2013, [[Skechers]] debuted the limited-edition GOmeb line of athletic shoes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://running.competitor.com/2013/10/shoes-and-gear/first-look-mebs-nyc-marathon-shoe_80185|title=Meb Keflezighi's Skechers NYC Marathon Shoe - Competitor.com|work=Competitor.com|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref> which features the official shoe of Keflezighi, the GOrun Speed.<ref>http://www.skechers.com/search?t=gomeb#t=gomeb&Brands=%2Fbrands%2Fgo</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elliptigo.com/ElliptiGO-8S-Meb-Edition|title=ElliptiGO 8S "Meb Edition"|work=elliptigo.com|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Keflezighi lives and trains in [[San Diego]]<ref name=SanDiegoResidence /> but used to train in [[Mammoth Lakes]], [[California]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> and is a member of the [[New York Athletic Club]].<ref>{{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 (New York)|Daily News]]|page=4}}</ref>

Keflezighi is represented by his brother Merhawi, who as a UCLA undergraduate was a student manager for the [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|Bruin men's basketball]] team (head student manager in 2001–02) and is a 2006 graduate of the UCLA School of Law. Meb and his wife Yordanos married in November 2004 and have three daughters:  Sara; Fiyori; and Yohana.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="christianpost">{{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}}</ref>

Keflezighi is a Christian.<ref name="christianpost" /><ref>{{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|accessdate=2017-11-19}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{iaaf name|136180}}
*[http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/Keflezighi_Mebrahtom.asp USA Track & Field Bio]

{{Footer Boston Marathon Champions Men}}
{{Footer New York Marathon Champions Men}}
{{Footer US NC 10000m Men}}
{{Footer US NC Marathon Men}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2000 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2004 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2016 Summer Olympics}}

<!--Do not reverse the names. The second name is the FATHER's name, not a true last name-->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Keflezighi, Mebrahtom}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Asmara]]
[[Category:American male long-distance runners]]
[[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:Olympic track and field athletes of the United States]]
[[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:People from Mammoth Lakes, California]]