Meb Keflezighi not only won the New York City marathon last Sunday; he is also the first U.S. male to have done so since Alberto Salazar won in 1982.
Keflezighi, 34 and a resident of California, was originally from the African nation of Eritrea, when he and his family moved to Italy when he was ten, and on to the U.S. two years later. He then proceeded to pursue a name for himself in running, becoming part of the team in junior high in San Diego, where he eventually was considered a standout in the UCLA.
Keflezighi obtained his U.S. citizenship eleven years ago.
Keflezighi ran 26.2 miles in the NYC marathon in approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes and 9 seconds. Coming in second was Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (Kenya) with a time of 2:09:56.
Derartu Tulu, 37, from Ethiopia, is the women’s winner, with a time of 2:28:52. Tulu is considered the oldest female victor since 42-year-old Priscilla Welch in 1987.
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