Distance to London: Meb Keflezighi Claims U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Shalane Flanagan Grabs Women's Victory in Houston
Meb Keflezighi may be Eritrea born.
But Oakley’s standout marathon runner is undeniably American.
A long-time distance star on Team USA, the 2004 Summer Olympic Silver Medalist placed his longevity in full display at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston, claiming a huge victory with a personal-best time of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 8 seconds to qualify for his third games.
“It was just a magical moment," Meb said of a spectator handing him an American flag during the final mile, rocking his Oakley Flak Jacket eyewear on the course.
Fellow Oakley athlete Ryan Hall claimed a solid second-place with a 2:09.30 finish – while Abdi Abdirahman wrapped up a 2:09.47 to take third.
“It’s going to be a war of attrition out there (in London at the Olympics),” Ryan said, sporting his own Oakley Flak Jacket performance eyewear. "The three guys that are up here, who made it, I think we’ll be best-suited for the Olympic Games.”
The leading pack came down to the elite few in the final stretch, with Ryan, Abdirahman, Dathan Ritzenheim and Meb charging for the finish.
But after a Ritzenheim decline, it was Meb, clearly out front, who would pump the two trailing runners with encouragement to complete the race with vigor.
The three athletes embraced at the finish.
“We talked about, ‘Hey, let’s be on the team,’ " Meb said.
Ryan, who claimed victory at the 2008 marathon trial, returned to the site where he set the American record time of 59:43 at the 2007 Half Marathon Championship.
“Today was a lot of fun,” Ryan continued. “I accomplished my goal, which was to be completely who God made me to be out there."
On the prettier side of the event, Oakley’s Shalane Flanagan triumphed in the women’s competition with a 2:25.38.
In only her second career marathon, she shattered her own personal best by three minutes.
“That’s encouraging,” said Shalane (in her Women’s Flak Jacket eyewear), who grabbed a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters in Beijing. “I knew I was capable of something like this, and I believe I’m capable of something even faster.”
A huge congratulations to all of our Oakley athletes who qualified for the Summer Games in Houston!
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