KEFLEZIGHI LAUNCHES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
By David Monti
(c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
NEW YORK (21-Apr) -- Reigning ING New York City Marathon champion Meb
Keflezighi announced here today that he is forming a charitable
foundation which will support varied causes in health, fitness and
education. Called the MEB Foundation, which the Olympic Marathon
silver medalist said stood for "Maintaining Excellent Balance," the
announcement was made at the RUN store by Foot Locker just off of Union
Square in Manhattan.
"We like to think he began his running career with us," said Foot
Locker U.S. CEO and president Dick Johnson who introduced Keflezighi
today. Johnson recalled how Keflezighi watched the Foot Locker
Championships high school cross country meet in San Diego playing
soccer in 1987; he had no interest in running at the time. But in
1993, he raced those same championships finishing second to Adam
Goucher, the true beginning of Keflezighi's racing career.
"Yes, 20 years ago as Dick mentioned, I was in Morely Field in San
Diego playing soccer," said Keflezighi. He continued: "There was
runners and, I'm like, why are these people running for? That was 1987
when Marc Davis, who happened to go to San Diego High School, won the
race. I said, well, these people are crazy. Six years later I was on
the starting line."
Keflezighi said the he does not yet have specific projects where the
foundation will be making donations. However, he said that his
connection to his native Eritrea would be an influence. He also
announced that the ING New York City Marathon had granted his
foundation 20 charity entry spots in this year's race where he will
defend his title on November 7.
"Our goal is to use those spots to fund raise," he said.
One guest was so inspired by Keflezighi, who finished fifth at last
Monday's Boston Marathon, that he made a $10,000 pledge on the spot.
|
|
|
Runner's World &
Running Times
Combined Only $22
a Year
Save $87
Running & Track and Field Posters
Running Shoe Savings: Nike Lunar Glide 20% Off Super popular shoe from Nike featuring Flywire and Lunar Foam