New York City Marathon 2012 - Men's Bios

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New York City Marathon 2012 - Men's Bios
By Sharon Ekstrom

See Also: Men's Race Preview and Starters List

Gebre Gebremariam | Meb Keflezighi | Marilson Gomes dos Santos | Moses Mosop | Martin Lel
Wilson Kipsang | Abdi Abdirahman

Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Gebre Gebremariam
Age: 28
Country: ETH
PB: 2:04:53, 2011 Boston Marathon
Gebregziabher "Gebre" Gebremariam of Ethiopia may have finished a distant 3rd at the 2011 Boston Marathon; but clocking a 2:04:53 in his second career marathon proves his worth as a major contender in the 2012 Boston field.

Gebremariam's early running career was highlighted by top track performances beginning at the 2002 World Junior's Championship where he won gold in the 10000m and bronze in the 5000m. At the 2004 Athens Olympics he took fourth in the 5000m at 20 years of age, following in the footsteps of legendary Hicham el Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele. It wasn't until 2008 when Gebremariam made the transition into road racing. He finished 2nd place in his 13.1 mile debut at the Great North Run (61:29) losing to fellow countryman Tsegaye Kebede fresh off his bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon.

After grabbing the 2009 World Cross Country Champion title and winning the 10000m at the 2009 National Championships, Gebremariam continued to shine on the roads with victories of several esteemed races - the 2010 Healthy Kidney 10K in New York (27:42 course record), Peachtree 10K (27:56), Beach to Beacon (27:41) and Falmouth Road Race (32:20). This all led up to a memorable victory in his marathon debut at the 2010 New York City Marathon (2:08:14). Pleased with his results, Gebremariam began planning for the 2011 Boston Marathon shortly after crossing the finish line.

As a lead in to Boston in 2011, Gebremariam returned to New York to test his fitness at the 2011 New York City Half Marathon. Despite his 2nd place finish, he ran an impressive race (60:25), losing to Mo Farah, the newly minted 2011 3000m European Champion. Gebremariam attributed his loss to Boston Marathon training - focusing on hills and less on speed work, but his attempts to take on Farah was proof that he still retained a ferocious kick.

A favorite at the 2011 Boston Marathon, his second attempt at the distance, Gebremariam remained with the leaders until mile 19; but faded eventually finishing third in 2:04:53. Following Boston, he was runner-up at the BAA 10k and in Castelbuono before closing out the year with a fourth place finish at the 2011 New York City Marathon - defeated all three times by 2011 Boston Champion Geoffrey Mutai.

Gebremariam wasn't in top form at the 2012 Boston Marathon and despite being one of the strongest contenders in the field and the only top billed Ethiopian, he could not stay with the leaders who surged at mile 17. He finished 14th in what would be a career ending 2:22:56. As for the Ethiopian Olympic team? Gebremariam knew he wouldn't make the marathon team and despite stepping away from the 10000m in 2009 to focus on the marathon distance, he shifted gears back to the track a week or so after Boston. With the approval of the Ethiopian Federation along with a qualifier - a 3rd place finish in Birmingham behind the Bekele brothers (Keninisa and Tariku, two highly decorated Ethiopian track stars), Gebremariam made the Ethiopia's 10000m team. He finished 8th at the Games.

Why? We don't know what to make of Gebremariam. His abilities on the track have always given him an edge in the marathon fields with his powerful finishing kick. While his race strategy has him among the leaders yet allowing others to do the heavy surging, competitors well aware of his speed are pushing harder from the gun. As a result, Gebremariam is left to hold onto the pace for as long as he can before being dropped off the pack. Has he had enough time to switch gears for the third time this year so he could get back to marathon training? The 2012 New York City Marathon men's field is deep, but many variables will keep us guessing until race day.

photo: Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Meb Keflezighi
Age: 37
Country: USA
PB: 2:09:08, 2012 USA Olympic Marathon Trials
Journalists are not allowed to choose favorites, but every year MarathonGuide.com features Meb Keflezighi. He is out favorite, because of his resolve and his determination to be the best athlete, father and person he can be. And he proves this time and time again despite the odds which seem to have been against him.

In the marathon Meb Keflezighi is "in it to win it". Best known as the 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist and 2009 New York City Champion, returns to the 2012 New York City Marathon. Through the roller coaster of his career marked by amazing high points as well as setbacks from injury and failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Keflezighi is the comeback kid.

At 37 years old, Keflezighi's early career was decorated with accolades in cross-country and the 10,000m. He nabbed the American Record at the 10,000m and gave a solid performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He turned to the marathon distance in 2002 - running his first marathon at the 2002 New York City finishing 9th (2:12:35). His second career marathon was at the 2003 Chicago Marathon where he finished 7th (2:10:03).

Yet, the career changer was in 2004. Keflezighi made the 2004 Athens Olympic team in both the 10,000m and Marathon, but chose to "become a marathoner" and run the one event ending with a silver medal performance at the 2004 Athens Olympics in challenging conditions. A string of successful performances were to follow at the 2004 New York City Marathon (2:09:53, 2nd place), the 2005 New York City Marathon (2:09:56, 3rd place) and 2006 Boston Marathon (same time as New York!: 2:09:56, 3rd place).

Beginning in late 2006, Keflezighi struggled with injuries and the psychological lows that accompany them and despite being a shoo-in for the 2008 Olympic team, Keflezighi failed to make that team. What was to follow were two injury-ridden years (2007 and 2008), many thought he was done which was another blow to his career. But what made Keflezighi successful in his running and in life - is his mental toughness. This allowed Keflezighi continue to rebuild, culminating in a 2009 filled with personal bests, national championship titles and major event victories.

Keflezighi's 2009 achievements began with a strong win, personal best and National Half Marathon title at the Houston Half Marathon; the National Cross-Country title of champion; personal best at the 2009 London Marathon (2:09:21); another strong victory at the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half-Marathon (61:00) culminating with an incredible win at the 2009 New York City Marathon still bettering his time (2:09:15) against a deep field on a tough course and and win of the USA Men's Marathon Championship. Most notably this was also his first marathon victory.

Keflezighi ran the 2010 Boston Marathon (2:09:26, 5th place) just eleven seconds shy of his personal best. He next had his sights on defending his title at the 2010 New York City Marathon; but Keflezighi struggled and finished 6th in 2:11:38. Absent from 2011 spring marathon rosters, he returned to the marathon at the 2011 New York City Marathon where he finished 6th in 2:09:13, a then personal best yet a reminder of work that needed to be done for him to remain competitive in top elite fields.

2012 saw Keflezighi return to the trials seeking redemption. His inability to make the 2008 USA team remained a haunting reminder throughout the past four years despite being an Olympic silver medalist in the marathon (one of the two only American men to ever medal in the Olympic Marathon) and a solid veteran of the distance. He would not make the same mistake; in fact, Keflezighi won his second career marathon at the 2012 Olympic Trials in Houston in a personal best of 2:09:08.

Keflezighi focused to the 2012 London Olympics seven months away. Careful to keep the training at high levels while remaining in good health, he did not know what to expect against a field of strong athletes whose finishes were six minutes faster. While he was happy to have the second chance at the Olympic Marathon, he raced it as best he could. By the halfway mark at the London Olympics, he fell into the second chase back and 17th place. Shortly thereafter the other two Americans in the field dropped out of the race, but Keflezighi soldiered on determined to still give it his best shot.

Remarkably, Keflezighi ran his own race at the 2012 London Olympics, picking off stragglers one by one and moving up in position with each mile to the finish. Keflezighi never gave up and came in 4th in one of the deepest and fastest Olympic men’s marathon fields assembled.

photo: Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Marilson Gomes dos Santos
Age: 35
Country: BRA
PB: 2:06:34, 2011 London Marathon
Two-time champion of the New York City Marathon, Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, will be returning to the 2012 New York City Marathon for the sixth time. The 35 year old is still making improvements in the marathon distance following a stellar 2011 spring racing season, clocking personal bests in the 10K and in the marathon (2:06:34, 2011 London Marathon).

Flying under the radar in most marathon fields, the Brazilian earned 12 top ten performances at world class races. Some notable performances include a debut at the 2004 Paris Marathon in 2:12:22 (6th place), 2004 Chicago Marathon in 2:08:48 (6th place), the 2005 World Championships in 2:13:40 (10th place), 2006 New York City Marathon in 2:09:58 (1st place), 2007 London Marathon in 2:08:46 (6th place), 2010 New York City Marathon in 2:11:51 (7th place), 2011 London Marathon in 2:06:34 (personal best time, 4th place), 2012 London Marathon in 2:08:03 (8th place) and 2012 London Olympics in 2:11:10 (5th place).

Gomes dos Santos is known for surprising us at the New York City Marathon, as most notably snuck away from the lead pack in 2006 to take victory in 2:09:58. He repeated his victory at the 2008 New York City Marathon (2:08:43), solidifying himself as a threat to elite fields.

Why? Gomes dos Santos may not be the fastest in the elite field; but he cannot be discounted given his experience with the marathon and his determination to continue to improve. Having two victories on this course, Gomes dos Santos knows what it takes to win the New York City Marathon. And while he may be flying under the radar once again in a field with men capable of 2:05 finishes and faster; it never comes down to the fastest to the finish, but the best.

photo: Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Moses Mosop
Age: 27
Country: KEN
PB: 2:03:06, 2011 Boston Marathon
Moses Mosop is the second fastest man to ever run the 26.2 mile distance at the 2011 Boston Marathon. While the official ruling states the Boston Marathon course is "aided" due to the downhill course, the Kenyan still made a name for himself in his debut in the distance, the fastest debut ever.

While his previous accomplishments proved his running talent - a silver medal at the 2007 Cross Country 12.0km World Championships and a bronze medal from the 2005 10000m World Championships, Mosop eased his way into longer road distances unlike many of his compatriots who prematurely jumped into the marathon. In 2010, Mosop debuted in the half marathon with a sub-60 victory in Milan and one year later was runner-up in Boston in an astounding 2:03:06.

After his Boston debut, Mosop, once husband to 2011 Berlin Marathon winner Florence Kiplagat, spent the month of June working on speed. He nabbed a world record in the 30000m at the Prefontaine Classic and finished third at the BAA 10k behind his 2011 Boston Marathon rivals Geoffrey Mutai (champion) & Gebre Gebremariam (third place). No one was certain if his next marathon - the 2011 Chicago Marathon - would legitimize the times earned in Boston which along with being a downhill course saw favorable tailwinds on race day which assisted the many to achieving incredible finishes.

In Chicago Mosop ran away with the victory in 2:05:37 setting a new course record by four seconds. He confidently told the media following the race that if he was in full fitness he could have run a 2:02. We weren't quite certain what injury he had been dealing with; but as the 2012 London Olympics approached, all eyes were on the top tier Kenyan talent who would battle for the three spots on the Kenyan team that was to be decided during spring marathon season.

Many wondered if Mosop could make the team with two other men capable of running 2:03 on unaided courses. Mosop was confident that he could tackle the world record and ran the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon. He earned another 2:05 finish (2:05:03 to be exact, a third place finish) and was selected for the 2012 Kenyan Olympic Marathon team headed to the London Games. Unfortunately, his Olympic dreams eluded him as a tendon injury caused him to withdraw from the Kenyan team.

Why? Mosop didn't return to defend his title at the 2012 Chicago Marathon opting to run the 2012 New York City Marathon. Mosop at 27 has deep potential in the marathon if he can reach the start line in full fitness and with fresh legs. He doesn't need pacemakers to run record times

photo: Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Martin Lel
Age: 34
Country: KEN
PB: 2:05:15, 2008 London Marathon
Three-time London Marathon champion, Martin Lel is once again a force to be reckoned with. Once the fourth fastest marathoner in the world with a 2:05:15 (London 2008), this Kenyan has been a consistent performer with top-three finishes at twelve of the thirteen marathons. His impressive podium streak was broken at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a 5th place finish (2:10:24), but this Kenyan's collection of victories from the New York City Marathon (2003-2:10:30, 2007-2:09:04) and London Marathon (2005-2:07:26, 2007-2:07:41, 2008-2:05:15) remains impressive.

For Lel 2009 started off strong with two victories at the 2009 Lisbon Half (59:56) and Great North Run (59:32-two seconds off his personal best); but ended early as a hip injury forced him to withdraw from both the London Marathon and New York City Marathon. He met further setbacks from injuries going into 2010 after winning the Rock n Roll Half in New Orleans. Continued setbacks forced him to withdraw from the 2010 London Marathon and the 2010 Chicago Marathon fields.

The 2011 London Marathon was Lel's first time back at the 26.2 mile distance since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This veteran marathoner and three time winner of the marathon faced a field where he was no longer the favorite, in fact there were six other top elite athletes who had run 2:05 finishes or faster. Regardless, Lel never backed away from a fight. While Emmanuel Mutai ran away with the win, Lel battled

photo: Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Wilson Kipsang
Age: 30
Country: KEN
PB: 2:03:42, 2011 Frankfurt Marathon
Wilson Kipsang, bronze medalist from the 2012 London Olympic marathon, quickly ascended to the ranks of top tier marathon talent beginning with his debut at the 2010 Paris Marathon and by proving his talent against the best in the world in order to garner Kenyan Olympic berth.

Kipsang has four marathon victories of his six career marathons - the Frankfurt Marathon (2010, 2011), the 2011 Otsu Marathon and the 2012 London Marathon, in what was staged as the Kenyan Olympic team marathon trials. [He has was third at the 2010 Paris Marathon (2:07:13) and 2012 London Olympics (2:09:37).]

This Kenyan was no stranger to racing. He was a specialist in the 10k and half marathon, where he has a history of rivaling on the best in the world. In fact, Kipsang challenged Zersenay Tadese at the 2009 World Half Marathon Championships. While Kipsang placed 4th (60:08), the race was won by Tadese who would eventually become the Half Marathon World Record Holder two times over. Kipsang has also raced against Patrick Makau, current Marathon World Record Holder at the 2009 Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon. Although Makau beat Kipsang to the finish by seven seconds, Kipsang's runner up finish was a personal best (58:59). Incidentally, Abel Kirui, the two-time Marathon World Champion (2009 and 2011), was 10th at that same race.

In 2011, with finish times falling below 2:04, Kipsang's 2:04:57 win of the 2010 Frankfurt Marathon wouldn't be fast enough. Kipsang returned to Frankfurt with one goal in mind - to set a new world record. Many speculated "could this be done outside Berlin, London or Dubai?" Kipsang came four seconds short - he finished in 2:03:42 - not enough to unseat the newly crowned Makau; but better than Gebrselassie's former record.

With the 2012 London Marathon, Kipsang battled the fastest Kenyans in the world as the race outcome would to decide the Kenyan Olympic team and there were three men who were already faster. Kipsang was careful with his strategy. In 25K of the race, he took to the front and pushed the pace with the pacemakers still on hand. Kipsang slowed in his final solo two miles missing the course record by four seconds, but his breakaway led to victory and earned him a spot on the Kenyan Olympic team (something that his compatriots - the fastest marathoner in the world, the current world record holder, and three time London Marathon champion could not earn). Kipsang ran a 2:04:44.

Four months later Kipsang found himself as a favorite in the 2012 London Olympic Men's Marathon field. While his bib read "Kiprotich", he was easy to spot in the lead pack. Kipsang charged ahead at mile 7 in an early surge leaving the pack before the halfway mark. While the strategy is always foolhardy, Kipsang couldn't hold the pace as he ran each mile alone. Three men caught up to Kipsang by 25K and while a man wearing a bib labeled "Kiprotich" won Olympic Gold that day, it was not Wilson Kipsang who managed to hold onto third place in his slowest marathon finish ever by over two minutes.

Why? Despite odds being against him in the 2012 New York City Marathon field, such as - he's only had three months to recover from the Olympic marathon, New York City Marathon has no pacemakers, New York offers a challenging course...Kipsang is the second fastest man in the field and was merely four seconds short of setting a new world record in 2011. The 2012 London Marathon proved he has star quality in these deep marathon fields where 2:04 is now a standard. While he made obvious mistakes at the Olympics; if he can better his strategy and tackle the course, the odds are still favorable for him to win.

photo: Victah Sailer / PhotoRun

Abdi Abdirahman
Age: 35
Country: USA
PB: 2:08:56, 2006 Chicago Marathon
While best known for his 10,000m times over the past decade; Abdi Abdirahman is every bit a talented marathoner. As the second fastest in the USA Men's Championships field with a 2:08:56 personal best from the 2006 Chicago Marathon, Abdirahman had an early start as a standout in cross-country and track - winning the 5000m and 10000m at the PAC-10 championships. In 2000, the Somalian-born rising star became a US citizen placing third at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 10,000m (28:19.08). At the 2000 Games he placed 10th in 10,000m (27:46.17). Abdirahman again represented the USA in the 10,000m at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, finishing in 15th place twice in Athens (28:26.6) and Beijing (27:52.53) respectively.

Yet, 2004 was when Abdirahman debuted in the marathon at the New York City Marathon. Disappointed at his 14th place finish (2:17:09), he returned to the distance and earning a 5th place at the 2005 New York City Marathon with a 2:11:24 and 4th place at the 2006 Chicago Marathon with a 2:08:56. Confident about his road to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he went into 2007 with a personal best 2nd place finish of 60:29 at the 2007 New York City Half Marathon - the second fastest half-marathon performance in New York City and was ready to take on New York's Central Park for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. Abdirahman was a favorite for the U.S. marathon team, but had a bad day and dropped out of the race near mile 17 of the criterium course. Despite the performance, he went to the Beijing Games after winning the 10,000m U.S. Olympic trials, becoming a three-time Olympian at age 31.

While performances have been inconsistent due to injuries in 2008 and early 2009, events such as the 2008 New York City Marathon (2:14:17, 6th place), 2009 10,000m National Championships in Eugene, Oregon (28:35, 8th place), 2009 Healthy Kidney 10K (29:02, 11th place) and 2009 New York City Half-Marathon (62:51, 4th place) both held in New York City have been less than stellar. He returned to the marathon at the 2009 New York City Marathon finishing 9th in 2:14:00.

Abdirahman finished third at the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials, in 2:09:47.

Coverage Homepage

Pre-Race:
Men: Men's Preview & Starter List | Men's Athlete Bios |
Women: Women's Preview & Starter List | Women's Athlete Bios |
Head-to-Heads: Elite Athlete Past Matchups
Extras: Pace Calculator/Pace Guide/Viewing | Videos (Athletes/Archival/More...)
More News: Press Releases | News
Featured Book/Movie: Run For Your Life | A Race Like No Other