1. Early Life and Education
Meb Keflezighi's early life was shaped by his family's journey from Eritrea to the United States, where he developed his academic and athletic talents.
1.1. Birthplace and Immigration
Keflezighi was born on May 5, 1975, in Asmara, Eritrea, which was then part of Ethiopia. At the age of 12, his family became refugees due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland. They traveled through Italy before eventually settling in San Diego, California, in 1987. He is one of ten children.
1.2. Education and NCAA Career
Keflezighi began his running career while attending Memorial Academy in San Diego. He ran a 5-minute, 10-second mile before excelling at San Diego High School, where he won both the 1600 meters and 3200 meters at the CIF California State Championships in 1994.
He later attended the UCLA, where he continued to build an impressive collegiate athletic record. During the 1996-97 season, he won four NCAA championships: the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters outdoors, the 5,000 meters indoors, and the cross-country title. He earned numerous All-American awards and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
1.3. Naturalization and Career Transition
In 1998, the same year he graduated from UCLA, Keflezighi became a naturalized citizen of the United States. This marked a pivotal moment, as he transitioned from his collegiate career to professional running, eventually shifting his primary focus from track events to the marathon.
2. Athletics Career
Keflezighi's professional running career spanned over two decades, highlighted by significant achievements on the track and in marathons, including multiple Olympic appearances and major victories.
2.1. Early Track Career
Initially, Keflezighi focused on track events, particularly the 10,000 meters. He was a three-time national champion in cross country running, winning the USA Cross Country Championships in 2001, 2002, and 2009. In 2000, he won the U.S. Championships in the 10,000 meters, qualifying for his first Olympic Games. In 2001, he set a new American record in the 10,000 meters with a time of 27 s, a record that stood for nine years until 2010. He competed in the World Championships in 2001 (Edmonton) and 2003 (Paris) in the 10,000 meters, finishing 23rd and 16th, respectively.
2.2. Olympic Games Participation
Keflezighi represented the United States in four Olympic Games, achieving one of the most significant results in American distance running history.
2.2.1. 2000 Sydney Olympics
Keflezighi made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He competed in the men's 10,000 meters, finishing 12th in the final with a time of 27 s. He had been unwell during the competition, which affected his performance.
2.2.2. 2004 Athens Olympics
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, Keflezighi made a strategic decision to compete in the marathon instead of the 10,000 meters. This proved to be a career-defining choice as he won the silver medal in the men's marathon with a time of 2 s. He finished behind Italy's Stefano Baldini and was 42 seconds ahead of Brazil's Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who had been leading until being pushed off the course by a protester. This achievement marked the first Olympic marathon medal for an American man since Frank Shorter won gold in 1972 and silver in 1976.
2.2.3. 2012 London Olympics
After missing the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to injury, Keflezighi made a comeback, winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston with a personal best time of 2 s. At 36 years old, he became the oldest winner of the Olympic Trials Marathon. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, he finished an impressive fourth place in the marathon with a time of 2 s.
2.2.4. 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
Keflezighi qualified for his fourth Olympic Games by placing second at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles, finishing in 2 s. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he finished 33rd in the marathon with a time of 2 s. During the race, he experienced stomach problems, stopping seven times. He famously slipped just before the finish line but turned it into a series of push-ups before crossing.
2.3. Major Marathon Victories and Performances
Keflezighi's marathon career is distinguished by his victories in two of the world's most prestigious marathons, alongside numerous other top finishes.
2.3.1. Boston Marathon
Keflezighi achieved a historic victory at the 2014 Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014, with a personal best time of 2 s. This made him the first American man to win the race since 1983 and the first American overall since 1985. Two weeks before his 39th birthday, he also became the oldest winner of the Boston Marathon since at least 1930. His other notable performances in Boston include a third-place finish in 2006 (2 s), a fifth-place finish in 2010 (2 s), and an eighth-place finish in 2015, where he notably crossed the finish line hand-in-hand with elite female runner Hilary Dionne.
2.3.2. New York City Marathon
Keflezighi secured another major victory at the 2009 New York City Marathon on November 1, 2009, with a time of 2 s. This win made him the first American to claim the New York City Marathon title since 1982. He also achieved a second-place finish in 2004 (2 s) and a third-place finish in 2005 (2 s). Other performances include a sixth-place finish in 2010 (2 s), a sixth-place finish in 2011 (2 s), a fourth-place finish in 2014 (2 s), and a seventh-place finish in 2015 (2 s), which set a new U.S. Masters Record by 20 seconds.
2.3.3. Other Major Marathons
Beyond Boston and New York, Keflezighi competed in various other significant marathons and road races. He finished ninth in the 2002 New York City Marathon (2 s), sixth in the 2003 Chicago Marathon (2 s), and eighth in the 2007 New York City Marathon (2 s). He did not finish the 2007 London Marathon. In 2008, he broke his hip during the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Central Park, finishing eighth and failing to qualify for the Olympic team; his friend and training partner Ryan Shay tragically died of a heart attack during the same race. In 2009, he placed ninth in the London Marathon (2 s). He won the 2010 San Jose Half Marathon in 1 s. In 2013, he finished second in the U.S. Half Marathon Championships held in Duluth, Minnesota, with a time of 1 s. In January 2014, he won the USA Half Marathon Championships in 1 s. In May 2015, he made his Masters debut at the Suja Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Half Marathon, finishing second overall and winning the U.S. Masters National Championship with a time of 1 s.
2.4. Personal Bests and Records
Keflezighi's personal best times across various distances include:
- 1500m: 3 s (1998)
- Mile: 4 s
- 3000m: 7 s (2003)
- 5000m: 13 s (2000)
- 10,000m: 27 s (2001, former American record)
- Half marathon: 1 s (2009)
- Marathon: 2 s (2014)
2.5. Other Competitions
Keflezighi participated in various other significant competitions throughout his career, showcasing his versatility across different distances and terrains.
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | World Cross Country Championships | Vilamoura, Portugal | Senior Long | 26th | 36 s |
| 2001 | World Cross Country Championships | Ostend, Belgium | Senior Long | 13th | 40 s |
| 2001 | World Championships Edmonton | Edmonton, Canada | 10000m | 23rd | 28 s |
| 2002 | World Cross Country Championships | Dublin, Ireland | Senior Long | 14th | 36 s |
| 2002 | IAAF World Cup | Madrid, Spain | 5000m | 4th | 13 s |
| 2003 | World Cross Country Championships | Lausanne, Switzerland | Senior Long | 11th | 37 s |
| 2003 | World Championships Paris | Paris, France | 10000m | 16th | 28 s |
| 2005 | World Championships Helsinki | Helsinki, Finland | 10000m | DNF | DNF |
3. Training and Philosophy
Keflezighi is known for his distinctive training methodologies and a philosophy centered on balance and consistent effort. He utilizes a unique nine-day training cycle instead of the traditional seven-day week, which he believes allows for optimal concentration on training while ensuring sufficient recovery.
His training regimen incorporates a variety of elements, including tempo runs, intervals, long runs, and cross-training. In the lead-up to the 2014 Boston Marathon, he sometimes ran two to three times a day and supplemented his running with 10 to 20-mile cross-training rides on his ElliptiGO to prevent injuries. To maintain his health, he also performs daily core-strengthening exercises, stretching, and engages in altitude training. His diet is high in protein and includes five servings of fruit daily.
Beyond physical training, Keflezighi promotes a philosophy he calls "Maintaining Excellent Balance" (MEB), which is also the driving force behind the MEB Foundation. This foundation primarily advocates for healthy living, positive lifestyle choices, and motivation for school-aged youth. His autobiography, Run to Overcome, further elaborates on his life milestones and his personal motto, "Run to Win."
4. Sponsorships and Business Ventures
Keflezighi's successful career led to various endorsements and business collaborations within the athletics industry. In 2011, his long-standing contract with Nike was not renewed, leading him to compete as an unsponsored athlete for a period. However, in December 2011, he signed with sportswear company Skechers, which he has represented since. In 2013, he also partnered with elliptical cycling company ElliptiGO.
By 2014, his list of sponsors included notable brands such as PowerBar, Sony, Oakley, Inc., Garmin, USANA Health Sciences, Generation UCAN, CEP Compression, the New York Athletic Club, and KRAVE Jerky.
Keflezighi also collaborated on several branded products:
- In 2011, Sony released a special-edition Meb Keflezighi 2GB W Series Walkman MP3 Player. This device came pre-loaded with audio tips and a booklet offering advice on running, nutrition, and stretching. The product has since been discontinued.
- On October 15, 2013, Skechers launched the limited-edition GOmeb line of athletic shoes. This collection features the GOrun Speed, Keflezighi's official shoe, and commemorates his victories in the 2009 New York City Marathon and the 2014 Boston Marathon.
- On July 2, 2014, a limited-edition 'Meb 8S' ElliptiGO was introduced to celebrate his 2014 Boston Marathon win. This special edition bike features his personal motto "Run To Win" and his signature, along with a patriotic design.
5. Personal Life
Meb Keflezighi's personal life reflects his strong family ties, faith, and commitment to his community.
5.1. Family and Background
Keflezighi currently lives and trains in Tampa, Florida, having moved there in 2019 from his long-time residence in San Diego, California. He also previously trained in Mammoth Lakes, California, a popular high-altitude training location for runners. He is a member of the New York Athletic Club.
His brother, Merhawi, serves as his representative. Merhawi, a UCLA alumnus, was a student manager for the Bruin men's basketball team and graduated from the UCLA School of Law in 2006. Meb Keflezighi married Yordanos in November 2004, and together they have three daughters: Sara, Fiyori, and Yohana.
5.2. Faith and Values
Keflezighi is a devout Catholic. His religious beliefs and personal values, including his motto "Run to Win," have been influential in guiding his life and career, emphasizing perseverance and a positive outlook.
6. Awards and Recognition
Keflezighi has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding athletic achievements and his contributions beyond the sport.
6.1. Athletic Awards
In 2010, he was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his collegiate accomplishments. At the end of 2014, his victory at the Boston Marathon was selected as the Inspirational Performance of the Year by USATF. Later, at the same ceremony, he was honored with the Jesse Owens Award, recognizing him as the USATF Athlete of the Year.
6.2. Community and Citizenship Honors
In 2017, Keflezighi was recognized as an "Outstanding American by Choice" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This honor highlights his significant impact beyond sports and his exemplary contributions to American society as an immigrant. He also participated in the Kilometer Kids Charity Chase as part of the AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4, 2014, to raise funds for the Atlanta Track Club's youth running program.
7. Retirement
Meb Keflezighi officially retired from professional running in November 2017, concluding a distinguished career that left a lasting legacy in American long-distance running.