FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston Marathon Winner Meb Keflezighi to Start Last at the
AJC Peachtree Road Race
Keflezighi Will Raise Funds for Kilometer Kids, Atlanta Track Club's Youth
Running Program, by Attempting to Pass 22,500 Participants
ATLANTA - June 23, 2014 - It's not where anyone expects to find Meb
Keflezighi in any competition, but the 2014 Boston Marathon winner will
start the AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4 in last place as the featured
runner in Atlanta Track Club's inaugural Kilometer Kids Charity Chase.
As part of the Chase, Keflezighi aims to raise $75,000 through an online
fundraiser that will benefit the club's youth running program. He will
start as the very last runner in the AJC Peachtree Road Race and try to
pass as many participants as possible, with a goal of 22,500. Supporters
can help Meb reach his goal by donating to Kilometer Kids. All proceeds
will go toward expanding the reach and accessibility of the program in the
Atlanta metro area as part of a continued effort to encourage young people
to achieve health and fitness through running.
"Since the day I was approached with the idea, I've been excited about
running the AJC Peachtree Road Race to benefit Kilometer Kids," said
Keflezighi. "Atlanta Track Club's commitment to inspire kids and empower
them through a fun and educational running program is directly aligned with
my belief that balanced living helps lead youth to success."
Keflezighi will also participate in a variety of events leading up to the
AJC Peachtree Road Race. To celebrate the launch of the limited-edition
"Meb 8S" ElliptiGO outdoor elliptical bike, Keflezighi will race against
some of Atlanta's top community leaders and corporate executives on the
bikes at Piedmont Park on Thursday, July 3. Keflezighi used an ElliptiGO as
part of his training routine leading up to his Boston Marathon win.
On Wednesday, July 2, Keflezighi will attend the Peachtree Health and
Fitness Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center. He will be stationed at
the Atlanta Track Club booth to meet and greet expo visitors and spread the
word about his unique challenge at this year's AJC Peachtree Road Race.
"Watching Meb come across the finish line at the Boston Marathon was one of
the more special moments I've experienced in sport," said Rich Kenah,
Atlanta Track Club's executive director. "Meb has overcome obstacles his
entire life; he is a role model and we're honored to have him return to run
the AJC Peachtree Road Race, this time to raise money for Kilometer Kids."
Keflezighi is the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983,
and is the only person ever to win the Boston Marathon (2014), the TCS New
York City Marathon (2009) and an Olympic medal (2004). He has participated
in three Olympic Games for Team USA, winning a silver medal in the 2004
Olympic Games Marathon. Keflezighi was born in Eritrea, but fled the
war-torn country with his family and later became a U.S. citizen in 1998.
He now lives in San Diego.
For more information, including how to donate to the Kilometer Kids Charity
Chase, visit charitychaseforkids.org. Additional information about the AJC
Peachtree Road Race can be found at peachtreeroadrace.org.
About Kilometer Kids
Kilometer Kids is a youth running program dedicated to inspiring young
people to achieve health and fitness through running. The fun and
supportive program is run by Atlanta Track Club, the second largest running
organization in the United States and organizer of the AJC Peachtree Road
Race. Founded in 2007, Kilometer Kids has impacted more than 5,000 young
people in metro Atlanta and beyond. The nonprofit program is funded by
partners, private donations and Atlanta Track Club. For more information on
Kilometer Kids, visit kilometerkids.org.
About Atlanta Track Club
Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and
healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates,
inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With
more than 19,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running
organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road
Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) - the largest 10K running event in the
worldand the Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K
(atlantahalfmarathon.org), Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events
per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track
Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing
and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta
youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes
through Atlanta Track Club's All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady
Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit
atlantatrackclub.org.
About the AJC Peachtree Road Race
The AJC Peachtree Road Race is a 10K event that takes place every Fourth of
July in Atlanta, Georgia. The first Peachtree was held in 1970 and
featured 110 runners. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is now the largest 10K
running event in the world with 60,000 participants. The AJC Peachtree Road
Race is perhaps most famous for the coveted AJC Peachtree Road Race
T-shirt, which is handed out to all the event finishers. For more
information on the AJC Peachtree Road Race visit peachtreeroadrace.org or
ajc.com/peachtree.
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