Posted: October 13, 2005

Athletics: Keflezighi And Tergat Ready For New York

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Despite injuries experienced in the late summer and early fall, both Meb Keflezighi and Paul Tergat will be ready for the 2005 ING New York City Marathon next month, according to their respective coaches.

“The problem of Paul Tergat now has been completely overcome,” said Dr. Gabriele Rosa, his coach, referring to a hamstring strain which bothered him in September. “He’s okay now. He feels very good, and he’s training together with [fellow ING New York City Marathon entrant] Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot."

Tergat, 36, the world record holder for the marathon, is training outside of Nairobi for his first appearance in New York. He will be facing an extremely tough field, including Keflezighi, the Olympic silver medalist who was second at New York last year; Hendrick Ramaala, the defending NYC champion; Jaouad Gharib, the reigning and two-time world champion; Martin Lel, a former ING NYCM champion and reigning London Marathon champion, and Jon Brown, twice fourth at the Olympic games. He will have to be at his best to win.

“For New York, he will be ready to run at a very high level, performing like everyone knows him,” Rosa added.

Keflezighi suffered a tightening of his right quadriceps muscle during the 10,000-meter final at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki on August 8. He withdrew from the race and has not competed since. Early last month Keflezighi resumed training with his coach, Bob Larsen, in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

“Meb is completely recovered,” said Larsen. “He is now training hard in Mammoth Lakes. Meb’s training is progressing very well. He anticipates being very competitive in his third ING New York City Marathon.”

The ING New York City Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6.

NOTE: RRW provides elite athlete consulting for the New York Road Runners, organizers of the ING New York City Marathon --Ed.