Posted: November 9, 2005

Athletics: Keflezighi named Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Meb Keflezighi has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after finishing third Sunday at the 2005 ING New York City Marathon, making him the fastest U.S. marathoner this year.

The 2004 Olympic marathon silver medalist, Keflezighi was timed in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds to finish behind world record holder Paul Tergat, who won the race (2:09:30) and runner-up Hendrick Ramaala (2:09:31). Due to a previous injury Keflezighi came into the 2005 edition of the ING New York City Marathon with only seven weeks of training.

Another notable performer over the weekend was Dathan Ritzenhein, who set a new course record of 28 minutes, 11 seconds in winning the 2005 USA Men's 10 km Championship in Mobile, Ala. The USA Men's 10 km Championship was held in conjunction with the Food World Senior Bowl Charity Run 10 km.

Now in its fifth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2005 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 4, Amy Rudolph; January 11, Dathan Ritzenhein; January 18, Janine Davis; January 25, Wallace Spearmon Jr.; February 1, Erin Gilreath; February 8, LaShawn Merritt; February 15, LaShawn Merritt; February 22, Walter Davis; March 1, Angela Daigle; March 8, Gov. Mike Huckabee; March 15, Kerron Clement; March 22, Lauren Fleshman; March 29, Deena Kastor; April 5, Deena Kastor; April 12, Tianna Madison; April 19 Alan Culpepper; April 26, John Godina; May 3, Amy Rudolph; May 10, Galen Rupp; May 17, Erica McLain; May 24, John Godina; June 1, Walter Dix; June 8, Justin Gatlin; June 15, Darold Williamson; June 23, Willie Gault; June 28, Kerron Clement; July 6, Ebony Collins; July 12, Sanya Richards; July 19, Galen Rupp; July 28, Wallace Spearmon Jr.; August 2, Ryan Whiting; August 9; Adam Nelson, August 16; Justin Gatlin; August 23, Sanya Richards; August 30, Bernard Lagat; September 6, Abdi Abdirahman; September 13, Allyson Felix; September 20, Deena Kastor; September 27, Colleen De Reuck; October 4, Ryan Shay; October 11, Deena Kastor; October 17, Josh McDougal; October 25, Jarrod Shoemaker; November 1, Angela Homan; November 8, Meb Keflezighi.