|
Oct-12-2005
Keflezighi And Tergat Ready For New York
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Despite injuries experienced in the late summer and early fall, both Meb
Keflezighi and Paul Tergat will be ready for the 2005 ING New York City
Marathon next month, according to their respective coaches.
"The problem of Paul Tergat now has been completely overcome," said Dr.
Gabriele Rosa, his coach, referring to a hamstring strain which bothered him
in September. "He's okay now. He feels very good, and he's training
together with [fellow ING New York City Marathon entrant] Robert Kipkoech
Cheruiyot."
Tergat, 36, the world record holder for the marathon, is training outside of
Nairobi for his first appearance in New York. He will be facing an
extremely tough field, including Keflezighi, the Olympic silver medalist who
was second at New York last year; Hendrick Ramaala, the defending NYC
champion; Jaouad Gharib, the reigning and two-time world champion; Martin
Lel, a former ING NYCM champion and reigning London Marathon champion, and
Jon Brown, twice fourth at the Olympic games. He will have to be at his
best to win.
"For New York, he will be ready to run at a very high level, performing like
everyone knows him," Rosa added.
Keflezighi suffered a tightening of his right quadriceps muscle during the
10,000-meter final at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki on August 8.
He withdrew from the race and has not competed since. Early last month
Keflezighi resumed training with his coach, Bob Larsen, in Mammoth Lakes,
Calif.
"Meb is completely recovered," said Larsen. "He is now training hard in
Mammoth Lakes. Meb's training is progressing very well. He anticipates being
very competitive in his third ING New York City Marathon."
The ING New York City Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6.
|
