Posted: March 11, 2006

Athletics: Keflezighi & Russell Win U.S. 15-K Titles

From David Monti

© 2006 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Meb Keflezighi of San Diego and Mammoth Lakes, Calif., and Blake Russell of Marina, Calif., won today's U.S. 15-K championships at the Gate River Run in Jacksonvile, Fla.

Keflezighi won this title for the fifth time, despiting arriving to Jacksonville late last night, his trip delayed by the unexpected birth of his daughter, Sara, on Wednesday. In addition to winning the men's title and the $10,000 first prize, Keflezighi also earned a special $5000 bonus for being the first athlete to cross the finish line. The women, led by Russell, were given a five minute head start and Keflezighi was able to pass Russell before the finish. Russell also earned a $10,000 prize.

The finish times for Keflezighi and Russell were not immediately available.

For Russell it was her first U.S. title at this distance, but she won the U.S. 20-K road racing title last September, her first U.S. road running title. Less than a month ago in New York City she won the U.S. long course (8 km) cross country title, and finished third in the short course (4 km) race. She plans to run both the long and short course races at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, next month.

Keflezighi will be running the BAA Boston Marathon on April 17, and will try to be the first American man to win that race since Greg Meyer in 1983.

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