It doesn't sound like the Meb most media outlets know and hear. The fact that he even said anything says alot about how wrong things might have gone. I've read this guy's book and followed him from his high school days and it doesn't sound like him at all to be unreasonable.
There were world class marathoners there in 2009. The "original" Robert K Cheruiyot and Jaouad Gharib got 2nd and 3rd. James Kwambai was the favorite and looked like a possible winner until 24 miles.
Meb has already said he has moved on and is looking forward to doing some great things in the shorter distances. Perhaps, the half marathon record could be in the radar now that he isn't doing Boston. That would be something!
You're right, that would be something! All he needs to do is lower his PR by 78 seconds, a mere 6 seconds a mile. Maybe after that he'll knock 37 seconds of his 10K best.
I'm surprised no one here hasn't raised the possibility that he's bluffing. Meb and his brother might think that Boston is low-balling him as he doesn't have any other options. By talking about not even running a spring marathon, he could be trying to convince Boston that he does have other options.
I'd be shocked if the Boston Elite Athlete Coordinator would not agree to an incentive loaded agreement. Let the athlete step up to their fitness. Load it with incentives, which if all are met might very well pay more than a front-loaded agreement. Appearance Fees are generally reduced significantly if the athlete dnf's or does not meet performance, finishing place, time results.
In the word of Michael Gary Scott; "This is a Win, Win, Win situation."
This is what Meb's talking about when he says no one respects him.
2009 NY results. Bunch of chumps in that field.
MEB KEFLEZIGHI 1 2:09:15
ROBERT KIPKOECH CHERUIYOT 2 2:09:56
JAOUAD GHARIB 3 2:10:25
RYAN HALL 4 2:10:36
ABDERRAHIME BOURAMDANE 5 2:12:14
HENDRICK RAMAALA 6 2:12:30
People read into this too much wrote:
Ryan's races are professional tempos where he runs his own race at his pace. Meb is a road racer, a pure heart and soul road racer. You make a move, he responds to keep up. That's exactly what the Boston Marathon is like and it's a shame that the best American runner for the Boston course is being excluded.
LOL.
Hall was with the leaders at 62:13 when he pr'd at London in 2008. Meb never has, and never will, do that.
guy who hears good stuff wrote:
Meb and his brother agent are interesting negotiators. Here's what happened in 2007: Meb's contract was up for renewal at the end of the year. Before marathon trials they told Nike they wanted $400K instead of the $200K he was getting. Nike said nope, we'll keep you at $200K. Meb and brother said they might have to look elsewhere. Then Meb (injured) got 8th at marathon trials. They go back to Nike. "So, uh, yeah, $200K, sounds great. Thanks!" Nike says nice try, $100K, take it or leave it.
And then Meb went out and WON the NYC Marathon. The real one with Gharib, James Kwambai, Patrick Makau, Cheruiyot and many others. Not watered down. Martin Lel did pull out the week of the race.
Boston has Ryan Hall. Hall has a white face and an American name. Hall winning would mean more than Meb winning to Boston so Boston doesn't want to pay Meb enough $$$. Meb doesn't have many places to turn so he may just sit this one out. The pros need another American spring marathon to get some leverage with Boston.
Meb could try for Chicago and then the OT. The fall marathons will be desperate for Americans this year.
I hope this makes it on CNN here is the title, "Meb isn't American enough to be invited to Boston". I know Meb has been on CNN several times.
You're joking, right? She did not have elite status because she did not ask for it, did not want anyone to know she was coming so there would be no opportunities to drug test her. She does this often. And she did not have to drink hyperconcentrated Gatorade like the masses because her boyfriend paced her the entire way and gave her drinks that he carried on his fuel belt. Just like she did not have to run into the massive headwind at Tulsa Run like the masses because her boyfriend ran in front of her the entire way. Wake up, people.
Brumby Gully wrote:
Maybe Boston refused to give him elite or invited status and he didn't want to race with bib #32183 and drink the hyper-concentrated Gatorade they serve to the masses. Just like Belainesh Gebre in the Honolulu Marathon:
http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/story/Gebre-wins-women-s-race-but-not-without/gafWj1M2T0Sv_DG9mMqg0A.cspx
You're saying his resume is incorrect because things that could've happened didn't happen? His resume titles are fine, your view of how things work is poor.All that said, this is clearly a money issue. Other than injury there are no other issues to deal with. Meb can take the money and run in April, or pass and run something else. It doesn't make his resume or legacy any less badass than it is.
NYCMfield wrote:
Tell me about it... wrote:2004 Olympic Silver Medal
2009 ING NYC Marathon Champion
A title is a title, but:
- the 2004 would have probably been a bronze without "the incident"
- 2009 NYC Marathon was set up for an American to win. There were no WORLD CLASS Marathon runners at the start. They wanted an American to win - although they didn't plan for Meb but for Hall.
Meb is one of the most inspirational people in our sport. I really hope that we are rewarding and supporting athletes like Meb. Keep your head up Meb, we love you.
BOO BOSTON wrote:
Good point, maybe Boston is the one out of touch with value vs demand.
Are you kidding. The race sold out in 8 f***ing hours this year. Maybe you and Meb are the ones out of tuch with value vs demand.
What do you think Boston offered Meb?
Its thanks to what the likes of Meb, Culpepper, Sell and Hall why Boston is hot in recent times. Do you recall the last best showing by American men in Boston. It was in 2006 led by Meb. They went through the half way at some crazy time like 62 and change. That my friends isn't distant memory for many American fans.
HOT wrote:
Its thanks to what the likes of Meb, Culpepper, Sell and Hall why Boston is hot in recent times. Do you recall the last best showing by American men in Boston. It was in 2006 led by Meb. They went through the half way at some crazy time like 62 and change. That my friends isn't distant memory for many American fans.
Right, the 2011 Boston sold out in 8 hours because Brian Sell passed Alan Culpepper in the last miles of the 2006 race, or whenever the hell it was.
But why would the people who are so excited about these things want to run the race? Then they miss watching it.
Yes you are wright. The point I was trying to make is that there are many fans of the sport who love the way Meb races which is BOLD. The excitement he brings to the race and his fight for the win is matched by no other American. That is the value that Meb brings to any race and including the Boston Marathon.
Meb IS a classy guy, but his brother is the worst agent in the business. With a real agent, he would be running.
Meb's loyalty to his brother is admirable, but he should tell him to go get a real job, preferably one he is good at.
carter wrote:
- 2009 NYC Marathon was set up for an American to win. There were no WORLD CLASS Marathon runners at the start.
You are a moron. Do you just make stuff like this up (things that would support your argument if they were, um, actually true) and hope nobody was paying attention?
NYC 2009:
MEB KEFLEZIGHI 1 2:09:15
ROBERT KIPKOECH CHERUIYOT 2 2:09:56
JAOUAD GHARIB 3 2:10:25
RYAN HALL 4 2:10:36
ABDERRAHIME BOURAMDANE 5 2:12:14
HENDRICK RAMAALA 6 2:12:30
In case these names are new to you...
Cheruiyot - FOUR TIME Boston winner. PR 2:07:14 (course record, Boston, 2008). Chicago winner.
Gharib - 2:05:27 PR. Olympic silver.
Hall - 2:06:17 PR. Admittedly the slimmest resume in the top five.
Bouramdane - 2:07:33. Second at Boston.
Ramaala - New York winner. 2:06:55 PR.
"No world class runners"? You're embarrassing yourself, pal.
Any way you slice it, Meb slayed giants that day.