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Jul-13-2005
KEFLEZIGHI TO RETURN TO NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi confirmed today on a national
conference call that he planned to return to the ING New York City Marathon
on November 6 where he finished a close runner-up last year.
"This year we think Meb is a favorite," said Mary Wittenberg, President and
CEO of the New York Road Runners, the organizers of the marathon. She said
that Keflezighi came into the race last year as a contender, but now he must
carry the burden of favorite. That seems fine with Keflezighi, the U.S.
record holder for 10,000m.
"I'm honored in that way," said Keflezighi of being called a favorite. But
he cautioned reporters that a marathon is a long way, and anything can
happen. "I might be favorite on paper but I have to run 26.2 miles." He
then added, "I just try to do the best that I can and I always try to win."
Keflezighi set a personal best time of 2:09:53 at New York last year just 70
days after earning his silver medal in the marathon in Athens. Coming into
New York this year he plans to be on fresher legs after running in the IAAF
World Championships in Athletics ver 10,000m.
"He was in the best shape of his life for Athens," said his coach, Bob
Larsen, who was also on the conference call. But he said that Keflezighi
was not able to do a full training program before New York last year and
basically was carrying his fitness from Athens "I know he can run faster
on that New York Marathon course," asserted Larsen.
Keflezighi's year got off to a slow start after a bulldog came after him
while on a training run in San Diego last January. "It was like a little
freak accicent," said Keflezighi who explained that he had to run backwards
to avoid the dog, and strained his Achilles tendon. The injury eventually
"travelled" to the rest of his leg and made it impossible for him to train.
"I was very weak and could barley lift my leg into the car," he recalled.
He only returned to a full load of training in April, and has only run two
races so far this year: the Healthy Kidney 10-K in New York (22-May, 3rd,
28:52) and the U.S. Outdoor Championships 10,000m (23-Jun, 2nd, 28:10.57).
Both were measured efforts.
"Everything's coming together," Keflezighi said, saying that both races went
well for where they fell in his training cycle. "Training is going well.
The rest should take care of itself."
At New York on November 6, Keflezighi will again face Hendrick Ramaala of
South African, the man who beat him in New York last year by 25 seconds.
The New York Road Runners announced that Ramaala, who just won the South
African Half-Marathon Chamionships last weekend, would be returning to the
race. Wittenberg indicated that the men's field of her race this year would
be one of the best ever.
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