Khalid Khannouchi, who still holds the fastest time ever run by an American in the marathon, will be back to racing this weekend at the New York Road Runners Healthy Kidney 10k.
Khannouchi hasn't raced in long time. He had surgery on his foot to repair an old injury 13 months ago. He's been regaining his strength and building his fitness ever since.
Khannouchi hasn't run a marathon since 2007, when he finished in fourth place at the U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials, behind Ryan Hall, who is now the fastest U.S. born marathoner, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Brian Sell.
At one time, Khannouchi was the fastest marathoner in the world. Back in 2002 he won the Flora London Marathon in 2:05:38, setting the world record in the event. That was the last time Khannouchi won a marathon, and he's been plagued with his foot injury even since.
Khannouchi says he doesn't have any big expectations for this weekend. He told the Journal News today, "People are thinking, 'What do you want to run?' I'm just trying to make it simple, run hard, and try to test the foot."
Khannouchi hasn't announced plans for another marathon, but when he's completely healthy he may consider the distance once again. Even at 39-years-old, Khannouchi has the drive, determination and natural talent to be a threat at any distance.
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