http://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com/2014/03/25/olympian-to-race-in-the-10k/
Olympian to race in the 10K
by Ambrose Clancy
The 2014 running of the Shelter Island 10K has imported some star power.
Meb Keflezighi, one of the world's elite long distance runners, will be
gracing Shelter Island's singular sporting event on June 21. A native of
Eritrea who immigrated to this country when he was 12, Mr. Keflezighi
became an American citizen in 1998.
A graduate of UCLA, Mr. Keflezighi is a three-time national cross country
champion and a silver medalist in the 2004 Olympic marathon, the first
American medalist in that event in more than three decades.
In 2009 he won the New York City Marathon.
"Meb is a current runner still competing at a high level," said Race
Director Mary Ellen Adipietro. "He's going to raise a lot of sprits."
In addition, Mr. Keflezighi will attract other top-notch runners to the
10K. He's currently in training for the Boston Marathon.
Ms.Adipetro said there are plans to bring Mr. Keflezighi to the Island
before the 10K and introduce him to youth groups. "He's very interested in
meeting young people," she said.
Plans are to contact youth running and track clubs across the East End so
Mr. Keflezighi can share his inspirational story of growing up poor in a
remote African village and finding the promise of America fulfilled for him
and his family.
Received on Tue Mar 25 2014 - 12:19:13 EDT