In celebration of Meb Keflezighi’s 10 year anniversary of his 2014 Boston Marathon victory, we will be featuring a Celebration of Meb, highlighting and sharing an aspect of Meb’s life on and off the track and roads leading up to the 2024 Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15. We are thankful to both Meb and Hawi (Meb’s brother and agent) for their partnership on this feature.
Entering the 2001 season, Meb set his goals. Among them was to set an American Record in the 10k, which at the time was held by Mark Nenow (27:20.56) and had stood since 1986. Meb’s goal time: 27:19.99.
Coming off the 2000 season in which he was on the Sydney Olympic team for the 10k, Meb had seen solid progression at the distance, including numerous races sub-28. His personal best time of 27:53 was over 30 seconds from the record, but he had the momentum of the previous season under his belt and an early chance to put himself to the test on the schedule.
The opportunity came in May at the Cardinal Invitational. Following a training block at altitude in Mammoth, he traveled to Palo Alto for the meet, and as chance would have it, Bob Kennedy, who was the American Record holder in the 3k and 5k, would also be in the race. He was told be a friend, Mike Long, that Kennedy would be running for the 10k record at the meet. To which Meb replied, “If he’s going to get it, he’s going to have to beat me.”
When the race started, Meb hung with Kennedy, who was following the pacesetters. Going through the halfway point in 13:35, he then passed Kennedy and never looked back. From Run to Overcome, “As I crossed the line, my arms were up, my mouth was wide open, and my eyes were about to pop out of my head…I had finally done it. My time was 27:13.98.”
The next day was Meb’s birthday. He would be turning 26. A sign of things to come.
Meb’s record would stand until 2010 when Chris Solinsky became the first American to run under 27 minutes for 10,000 meters, completing the distance in 26:59.60.
WATCH: Meb Keflezighi BARELY hangs on to win 10K Olympic trial in 2000
