By Reuters,
BOSTON Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi have been voted as U.S. athletes of the year, USA Track & Field (USATF) announced on Monday.
Keflezighi, who in April become the first American man in three decades to win the Boston Marathon, will receive the Jesse Owens Award.
“It is such an amazing honour to receive an award named after such a great athlete and sportsman,” Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon, said in a statement.
“This recognition as the best athlete on the world’s best track and field team, especially at the age of 39, means a lot to me, and is a tribute to all who have supported me unconditionally throughout the years.”
Keflezighi, who was born in Eritrea but is now a U.S. citizen, set an official time of two hours, eight minutes and 37 seconds with his victory in Boston, the first running of the race since last year’s fatal bombing attack.
Keflezighi will be presented with his honours on Dec. 4 at the Jesse Owens Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Anaheim, California.
.@runmeb, @trackjenny named #USATF Athletes of the Year: https://t.co/vc0G7ZNPe0 PhotoRun- Meb; Image of Sport- Jenny pic.twitter.com/sA5rpCCDO0
— USATF (@usatf) November 17, 2014
Meb Keflezighi (@runmeb) is the 1st male marathoner to win the @usatf Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year award since Khalid Khannouhi in '02.
— ESPN Endurance (@ESPN_Endurance) November 17, 2014