23132
Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 5:36PM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Still my favorite runner. Humble yet still has a desire to compete. And he runs smart in races. When I was 14 his Marathon race was the first race I ever saw. Damn, I so wanted him to catch Baldini.

But anyway, does anyone else agree?
Quenton Cassidamius
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:12PM - in reply to 23132 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I don't like Meb that much. He is to obsessed with making money and getting endorsements. He seems to value money too highly and is not very genuine when talking to media. My favorite American distance runner is Abdi. Abdi is the Black Cactus. He loves running and is the most enthusiastic guy in every race. He is different than Meb because when he does something that generates attention it is because of raw emotion and not plugging sponsors. The Black Cactus has been incredibly consistent for years and easily the most fun runner to be around.
Trollist
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:18PM - in reply to Quenton Cassidamius Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Galen Rupp
Bernard Lagat
Abdi

Those are some of my favorites. They all just ooze class and integrity.
A Duck
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:20PM - in reply to 23132 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
It's Lopez Lomong, hands down!

Did you see his interview on NBC where he is hugging and kissing the American flag and then he spends his interview time thanking all of the American people for making everything possible for him and his family?
lame
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:26PM - in reply to Trollist Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

Trollist wrote:

Galen Rupp
Bernard Lagat
Abdi

Those are some of my favorites. They all just ooze class and integrity.


Very funny. I'm also a Lopez Lomong fan.
The sea yields to knowledge
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:27PM - in reply to A Duck Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The most likeable American distance runner is probably some 16 minute guy that no one has ever heard of.
HoNo
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:38PM - in reply to 23132 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Yes.
my two cents
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 6:44PM - in reply to The sea yields to knowledge Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I am a local decent weekend warrior in San Diego. I have run a few races against Meb since he was a recent high school graduate (when he already was substantially faster than I am). If you see him out running in SD he remembers the names (including mine) and says hello to virtually all of the regular local runners and he will slow down for a minute to ask how you are doing and talk running with you before picking it up again. He is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people you could ever meet.
Sp!kes
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 8:11PM - in reply to 23132 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The answer: Yes!
Grizz
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 8:36PM - in reply to Sp!kes Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I met Meb a couple years ago at a road race. I was just another schlub in line for an autograph, but he took five minutes to chat with me a little bit. It wasn't anything huge- he asked me my PRs, wished me luck, etc. I'm sure he's had hundreds if not thousands of interactions like that over the years, but he was very friendly and approachable. I don't know if "most likeable" has any meaning because of the inherent subjective nature of the term, but certainly I'd say he's likeable and I can understand why he has so many fans.

One thing, however, that strikes me as weird. This isn't a knock on Meb AT ALL, but he still speaks English with a very thick accent, even though he came here before he was old enough to finish middle school. Farah came over to England when he was about the same age, if memory serves, and has a very thick English accent as opposed to a Somalian one. I always wondered why that was. I don't have a problem with it, of course, I just think it's odd/fascinating. As far as I'm concerned, a class act like Meb can speak in pig-latin and I'd cheer for him!
Mr. Dr. Professor. Patrick
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 8:41PM - in reply to Trollist Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

Trollist wrote:

Galen Rupp
Bernard Lagat
Abdi

Those are some of my favorites. They all just ooze class and integrity.

lol, Galen Rupp oozes class. Good one!
Harry Carey
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 8:54PM - in reply to Mr. Dr. Professor. Patrick Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Centro, Rupp, Salazar.
luv2run
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 9:33PM - in reply to 23132 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
He is a very nice guy. Back when he was a resident athlete in Chula Vista, I would chat with him. (I was working with another sport that was training there). Years later still a nice guy when I would run into him (neither of us got hurt).

Deena Kastor is also very likable.
asdfgg
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 6/30/2012 10:37PM - in reply to 23132 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Not enough fire.
Sp!kes
RE: Is Meb the most likeable American distance runner? 7/1/2012 7:13AM - in reply to asdfgg Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

asdfgg wrote:

Not enough fire.


The fire burns within. Watch a rerun of the NYC marathon he won. Raging fire.