Keflezighi training for Boston Marathon

BY UNION-TRIBUNE

Meb Keflezighi will compete in the Boston Marathon on April 19, when he will face fellow American Ryan Hall.

San Diego High graduate Meb Keflezighi, who made history when he became the first American in 27 years to win the New York Marathon last month, will compete in the Boston Marathon on April 19.

Keflezighi officially started training for the historic Boston race yesterday by running 10 miles in and around Mira Mesa and Rancho Peñasquitos. Later, he stopped by San Diego High to talk with students about school, sports and overcoming life’s obstacles.

The runner, who escaped war-torn Eritrea with his family before moving to San Diego, hopes to make history in Boston. An American man has not won the Boston Marathon since Greg Meyer in 1983.

Keflezighi will face fellow American Ryan Hall in Boston. They have competed three times in the past, with Hall beating Keflezighi twice.

“Hopefully, one of us will win. That would be a reaffirmation of what U.S. distance running is all about,” said Keflezighi, who placed third in the Boston Marathon in 2006.

Although Keflezighi does most of his training in Mammoth, he said nothing beats running in San Diego.

“I like to run by the water,” he said. “But I also like to run in Balboa Park on the dirt trails.”