F
or nearly three decades, Mebrahtom Keflezighi – best known by his single, monosyl-
labic moniker, Meb – chased finish lines and competitors with a ferocious, uninterrupted
energy that earned him an Olympic medal as well as marathon titles in Boston and New
York City. On Nov. 5, however, the chase stopped when Meb retired from competitive
running after completing the TCS New York City Marathon. For Meb, who immigrated
to the United States from war-torn Eritrea as a pre-teen before representing the U.S. in
four different Olympics, the symbolism was inescapable. "Twenty-six miles to go in
my 26th marathon and 42 kilometers in my 42nd year," Meb said a week before heading to New
York. As he crossed the finish line on the morning of Nov. 5, a roar of cheers thundering down,
Meb grit his teeth, waved to the left and right, made the sign of the cross, tapped his heart and
blew kisses to the crowd before collapsing at the finish line in 11th place. "I have peace of mind
"I have peace of mind
knowing I gave every
ounce of my body and
effort to the sport and
I'm blessed to go out
on my own terms."
78 runninginsight.com © 2017 Formula4media LLC.
MEB 2.0
By Daniel P. Smith
