MEB KEFLEZIGHI = AMERICAN MARATHON OF THE YEAR!

Meb MF Keflezghi!

I remember when he got silver 8 whole years ago that I thought it was awesome how he managed such a great performance at the end of his career. Since then the marathon has been reinvented by the Kenyans and Meb still manages 4th. That has to be the top American distance performance of these games.

Meb made it look like Hall and Abdi's careers are the ones about to end.

Perhaps Meb thinks this is his last Olympics but if he still has the interest to pursue professional running, at this point I wouldn't bet against him making another team in 2016. I don't care how old he is going to be.

Last thought...if just one of the medalists had had a late race problem (cramps, bonked, etc), Meb would have brought a medal. That is really just amazing. Meb should be our national marathon coach after he is done running.

juhjhunhshd wrote:

Very nice, thought he was washed up. Congrats Meb and Sketchers. :)

Congratulations to people who draw stuff?

Meb is just awesome plain and simple. Rumors were flying that he'd been injured, yet he still put down a solid performance. I have nothing but respect for him. His book is still one of my favorites too.

Man those Skechers really do work. They are amazing. Did you see Meb's butt?

Hall goes back to old American style training that made us a joke (a frickin day off per week???!!!) and Meb keeps cranking. Awesome.

Seriously, what a stud. I wish the TVs had caught more of his race as he progressed from a reported 19th around half-way through, all the way up to 4th in the closing minutes. But it was a nice surprise to hear them announce his position as he passed the Brazilian and Japanese runners. No medal, but he earned a ton of respect today.

Everyone at LRC wrote:

Hall the Loser wrote:

Boy, did NIke ever blow that sponsorship. How much are they pumping into Hall who committed fraud on the American public.

0/10.

0/10

Here's a link about Meb's pre-race snub:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/blog=olympic-talk/post/meb-keflezighi-motivated-by-pre-race-slight.html?chrcontext=top-nbc-moments

I guess the IAAF didn't announce him or let him toe the line at the start, despite him being the only previous medalist there. Pretty sad, but what a sportsman to turn it around and make it his motivation.

hdashdkhajd wrote:

Meb should be our national marathon coach after he is done running.

Wait a minute! I know I started this thread, but some guy over in another one pointed out that MEB LET THE FLAG TOUCH THE GROUND!!!

My teacher told me that every time the flag touches the ground an angel loses her wings. It doesn't matter if it happens during a celebration of national pride. Meb is bad :(

hdashdkhajd wrote:

Since then the marathon has been reinvented by the Kenyans and Meb still manages 4th. That has to be the top American distance performance of these games.

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

In no way is it even close to the best American distance performance of the games.

What is? Rupp's silver in a slow race against the weakest field in decades?

Seriously, what else?

steelergirl26 wrote:

Here's a link about Meb's pre-race snub:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/blog=olympic-talk/post/meb-keflezighi-motivated-by-pre-race-slight.html?chrcontext=top-nbc-moments

I guess the IAAF didn't announce him or let him toe the line at the start, despite him being the only previous medalist there. Pretty sad, but what a sportsman to turn it around and make it his motivation.

Wow. Didn't know this, although I did wonder how the hell they picked the athletes for introductions - what does Hall really have, other than a fast PR from several years ago? Meb has an NYC win and more importantly an OLYMPIC MEDAL, which should be the most obvious possible reason for an intro.

steelergirl26 wrote:

Here's a link about Meb's pre-race snub:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/blog=olympic-talk/post/meb-keflezighi-motivated-by-pre-race-slight.html?chrcontext=top-nbc-moments

I guess the IAAF didn't announce him or let him toe the line at the start, despite him being the only previous medalist there. Pretty sad, but what a sportsman to turn it around and make it his motivation.

Awesome! I thought Meb was the man after coming from behind to get fourth, but to know he started off running this Olympic marathon on pure hate for the IAAF snub makes him EVEN MORE AWESOME!!!!

isn't it obvious that he came in 4th because of his shoes? he only runs in them because nobody else wanted to sponcer him. the go run is a very soft and flexible shoe which is a big speed killer.

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

hdashdkhajd wrote:

Since then the marathon has been reinvented by the Kenyans and Meb still manages 4th. That has to be the top American distance performance of these games.

In no way is it even close to the best American distance performance of the games.

Why are you always so mean?

I know you can point out many great performances from this OG, but Meb's 4th in the marathon was undoubtedly the most unexpected and gutsiest performance. I think he did the most with the talent he had than any other distance runner we sent.

steelergirl26 wrote:

Here's a link about Meb's pre-race snub:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/blog=olympic-talk/post/meb-keflezighi-motivated-by-pre-race-slight.html?chrcontext=top-nbc-moments

I guess the IAAF didn't announce him or let him toe the line at the start, despite him being the only previous medalist there. Pretty sad, but what a sportsman to turn it around and make it his motivation.

Wow! that is some fu(ked up $hit they did to him. But why do people keep dissing him? It started with nike, then Boston and NYC did not offer him any money to run. It wasn't that they offered him little money, they didn't even call him.

He has to be the US most accomplished marathoner after Frank Shorter.

At least I bought his book in this year's Boston Expo and got it signed by him and took a pic with him.

Meb continues to do what he has done the majority of his career: Perform when it counts most! I'm not sure what his training looks like and I can only imagine how the results would have been if he was in optimal shape, buteven he and his coach have to be surprised with this 4th place finish. They had mentioned that Meb was not 100% and I believe they were truthful. But Meb's natural niche for the marathon and his will to win is absolutely amazing. Maybe, hopefully, he'll begin to get the mainstream attention as Hall. He deserves it!

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

Rupp, Manzano, Solomon were all better.

Could be argued. By a clown. I certainly don't take it as fact that Solomon's 5th was better than Meb's 4th. But that's just me. And, you know, the order of numbers.

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

Weakest 10k field in decades? Ok bro, clearly you know nothing about the sport.

Right bro. This was waaaay stronger than 2004 and 2008. (Not. Even. Close.)

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

Weakest 10k field in decades? Ok bro, clearly you know nothing about the sport.

You often have good insights, but this point was so out of it that I had to address it.

Just from memory...

2012

Winner: Farah, PR 26:46

ETH: K and T Bekele, way past their primes. Gebremariam.

KEN: Muchiri, Masai, Kiprop

2008

Winner: K Bekele, PR 26:17

ETH: K Bekele and Sihine, at their primes. Gebrselassie.

KEN: Kogo, Masai, Mathathi

Which looks stronger to you?

Rupp got lucky, and with his current ability would have got rolled in any other Olympic field.

cpaiglesias wrote:

It started with nike, then Boston and NYC did not offer him any money to run. It wasn't that they offered him little money, they didn't even call him.

That's simply not true. Meb asked for too much money, in the eyes of Nike and Boston. Meb is free to ask for as much money as he wants, but no one else is obligated to pay him whatever he asks for.

ps--which year did Meb miss NYC? When did NYC ever snub Meb?