USA Men's Marathon Championships - Bios

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USA Men's Marathon Championships - Bios
By Sharon Ekstrom

THE AMERICANS
For 2009, the USA Men's Marathon Championship will be held simultaneously with the New York City Marathon and the fastest Americans will compete against each other - many for the first time since the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon. The 2008 trials were staged solely for top American men on a criterium course in New York's Central Park separate from the New York City Marathon.

While it's a rare opportunity to see such quality Americans gathered at the same race outside of an Olympic Trials year, it's exceptionally exciting when those top Americans are also capable of taking on the deep international marathon field. Favorites like Meb Keflezighi, Ryan Hall, Abdi Abdirahman, Bryan Sell, Jason Lehmkuhle, Peter Gilmore and Dan Browne will be in the running.

MEB KEFLEZIGHI
Age: 34
Meb Keflezighi became this generation's best-known American running icon after winning the Silver Medal in the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon - joining the pantheon of running legends that include Frank Shorter, Alberto Salazar and Bill Rodgers. From high school standout to NCAA 5000m, 10000m, and cross-country champion to the American Record at the 10000m (27:13.98), Keflezighi debuted at the 2002 New York City Marathon with a ninth-place, 2:12:35 finish. Gaining momentum in both distances, he competed in both the 10,000 meter and the marathon at the 2004 Olympic Trials, finishing first at the Olympic Trials 10,000m (27:36.49) and runner-up at the Marathon Olympic Trials (2:11:47), thus qualifying for the US Olympic team at both events.

Keflezighi chose to focus on the marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics and his strength and strategy paid off, earning him a silver medal in 2:11:29 (the first American Marathon medal since 1976). He returned to the US as a hero and a role model. And in the following months, he achieved a second place finish at the 2004 New York City Marathon in a personal best of 2:09:53 and two third-place spots at both the 2005 New York City Marathon and 2006 Boston Marathon in nearly identical times of 2:09:56.

Keflezighi experienced some setbacks toward the end of 2006, including stomach problems at the New York City Marathon as well as injuries leading to a DNF at the 2007 London Marathon and going into the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The unlucky streak continued, as he failed to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in the marathon and on the track, as qualifications were based on one-time "make or break" trials events. But for 2009, Keflezighi is back and he is strong. Following a three-peat victory at the USA Cross Country Championships 12K (his first time at the race since 2003); he won the 2009 USA Half-Marathon Championships in Houston in a personal best finish of 61:25, then bettered his personal best in the summer at the 2009 Rock 'N' Roll San Jose Half with a victory in 61:00. Slightly disappointed with his performance at the 2009 London Marathon where he ran a personal best of 2:09:21 (9th place), Keflezighi knows he is capable of more. And these indicators are strong predictors that Keflezighi is back and ready to take on this field.

ABDI ABDIRAHMAN
Age: 32
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 hampering races 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 lackluster. But Abdirahman has the second fastest finish in the US Championship field. Having run the 2009 Peachtree 10K Road Race in a finish identical to his personal best at the same race in 2007 and won the 2009 USA 10-Mile Championships in a personal best of 46:35, he still has more to prove. He will be back in New York City attempting to claim his first national championship marathon title as well as perhaps a victory of the race.

RYAN HALL
Age: 27
The fastest American in the field is Ryan Hall whose marathon career has drawn attention back to the distance with top performances against the Kenyans in London and Boston, and his win of the 2008 US Olympic Men's Marathon Trials. Hall made quite a statement in his debuts on the roads with a half-marathon debut at the 2007 Houston Half Marathon. He blew away a field, which included Olympians Meb Keflezighi and Dan Browne, and finished in 59:43 over two minutes ahead of his competition, giving him the American record and the best time ever by a non-African-born runner. Hall followed that with a 2:08:24 at the 2007 Flora London Marathon, the fastest debut ever by an American-born runner. Later that year, he won the US Olympic Team Trials Marathon with a time of 2:09:02.

Hall's next foray into the marathon was again in London in 2008 where he finished fifth in 2:06:17, making him the second-fastest American marathoner behind Moroccan-born Khalid Khannouchi (2:05:38 in London and 2:05:56 in Chicago, 2002). Although his tenth place finish at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in 2:12:33 was a disappointing, it has undoubtedly given him experience. Hall is no longer a newcomer to long distance road racing.

In a return to marathoning in 2009, Hall was confident to win the Boston Marathon; but his race strategy of setting a blistering pace at the gun with sub 4:50 miles failed him as he found the speed difficult to maintain. Although he did not win the race, he held on to finish in 3rd place (2:09:40) - lesson learned. Later, with a 3rd place finish at the New York City Half with a 62:35 (3rd place finish) and a victory of the Philadelphia Distance Run in a 61:52, Hall who is the fastest American in the field is certainly prepared to take on the National Championships as well as the international field.

BRIAN SELL
Age: 30
Brian Sell, a star on the Hansons-Brooks team, has a versatility that has allowed him to run competitively at many different distances. The 2003 US Championships 20K was a breakthrough for Sell who finished 2nd to top American distance runner Meb Keflezighi in a 59:18. As a result, he qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials in Birmingham, AL - where in his marathon debut, he was 2:17:21 (14th place) after leading the race for a short time. Sell persisted in the distance which paid off as he finished top American at his second and third career marathons - the 2004 Chicago Marathon (2:13:22, 11th), the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki (2:13:27, 9th). While altitude was never part of his running regimen, Sell still had a strong presence in the highly competitive races. 2006 was a standout year, as he beat Olympian Alan Culpepper and finished second American behind Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi at the Boston Marathon in 2:10:55 (4th place). Sell followed up with a personal best at the Chicago Marathon in 2:10:47 (6th place) where he once again was top American. As the 2008 Olympics approached, Sell seemed mentally worn and ready to find a career outside of professional running; but his years of hard work and commitment to the marathon distance paid off when Sell earned a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. He finished 3rd beating out a stellar field of past Olympians and a former world record holder at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon. Despite producing less than stellar results at the Beijing Games (2:16:07, 22nd place) and at the 2009 Boston Marathon 2:16:31 (14th place), Sell has not thrown in the towel yet. And if his finish at the 2009 Houston Half-Marathon in 62:36 PR which was three seconds faster than his previous best half prior to the Olympic Trials, is indicative of his fitness, Sell stands to do well at the National Championships.

PETER GILMORE
Age: 32
Peter Gilmore may not be a household name, but his running career has been highlighted by strong performances as top American in the marathon distance in fields dominated by African runners. While it took time for him to break into the sport as a professional athlete, Gilmore, was part of the Nike Farm Team who became attracted to longer distances after he debuted at the 2002 Chicago Marathon with a 2:21:47 (37th place). Humbled by his debut, he returned to the 2003 Chicago Marathon and finished 18th with a 2:17:32. Gilmore continued to focus on the marathon distance and went on to place 8th at the 2004 US Olympic Trials with a time of 2:15:43. (Gilmore actually finished 9th, but Eddy Hellebuyck was disqualified for doping.) He followed the 2004 Trials with a 2:14:02 performance at the 2004 California International Marathon. Beginning in 2005, Gilmore began running the New York City Marathon as his Fall race and the Boston Marathon as his Spring race. His finish of 2:12:45 at the 2006 Boston Marathon placed him near the top of the American finishers, while his 2:13:13 at the 2006 New York City Marathon earned and 2:16:41 at the 2007 Boston Marathon were the best finishes in those races by an American. While Gilmore's last visit to New York City produced a DNF at the 2008 Olympic Trials, he will return ready to redeem himself. Strong finishes at the 2007 Ohme-Hochi Road Race (30K in 1:37:22), the 2008 Surf City Half (63:53), Gilmore is one of the most focused runners we know - and after victory at the 2009 Napa Valley Marathon and a second place at the 2009 Seattle Marathon, he will be a strong competitor at the USA Marathon Championships.

JASON LEHMKUHLE
Age: 32
As an all-American in the 5000m and 10000m, Jason Lehmkuhle was still in college (Drake University) when he qualified for the 2000 Olympic Trials in the 10000M. Although his main focus remained on the 2000 NCAA Division I Championships where he placed third, Lehmkuhle ran the trials in a 30:32 (25th place). In 2001, Lehmkuhle joined the newly formed Team Minnesota USA, a post-collegiate elite training group. In 2003 he dove into long distance racing with a debut at the Chicago Marathon. His finish time of 2:18:24 gave him 20th place, but the time qualified him the "A" standard for the 2004 U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Trials.

At the 2004 Trials, Lehmkuhle finished 9th overall in a personal best at that time (2:16:27). He went on to run the 2006 Twin Cities Marathon in a 2:19:03 (7th place). In 2007, Lehmkuhle had a year of improvements - 5th place with a 1:02:51 at the USA Half Marathon Championships in Houston, 9th place with a 38:26 at the USA Cross Country Championships 12k, 5th place in 44:17 at the USA 15k Championships and 1:21:58 at a USA 25k Championships to name a few. While Lehmkuhle put in a good effort at the 2007 Boston Marathon having broken away from the pack with Peter Gilmore, he fell off the pace finishing at a disappointing 2:38:05. Regardless, the thirty-one year old bounced back at the 2008 US Olympic Trials Men's Marathon in a deep field of American talent, finishing in 5th with a four minute personal best (2:12:54).

It doesn't end there, Lehmkuhle has continued to improve - 2008 USA Half Marathon Championships (62:32 PR, 2nd place), 2008 New York City Marathon (2:14:30, 8th place), USA Championship 10 miler (47:15 PR, 4th place), USA Championship 15k (44:09, 8th place), USA Championship 20k (59:04, 3rd place), USA Championship 25k (1:16:48, 11th place). This steady state of improvement for 2009 makes Lehmkuhle a contender who may be on the verge of a breakthrough.

BOLOTA ASMEROM
Age: 31
Bolota Asmerom, began his career in Ertitrea before becoming a US citizen in 2002. A 3000m and 5000m specialist turned marathoner, Asmerom will be returning to the New York City Marathon field after finishing his marathon debut at the same race in 2008 in a solid finish in 2:16:37 (10th place). While still new to the marathon, he shows promise with many personal bests in various distances in 2009 - Bolder Boulder 10k (30:02, 5th place), USA 5000M Championships (13:24.00, 4th place), USA 5k National Championships (13:58, 2nd place), Rock 'n' Roll San Jose (63:06, 2nd place). As strong performer at championship races, Asmerom will definitely be one to watch as he develops in the distance.

FASIL BIZUNEH
Age: 29
Fasil Bizuneh, a 5000m/10000m specialist in competition since 2000, followed the natural progression of track stars segueing into the marathon. He debuted in the 26.2 mile distance at the 2006 USA National Championships, held in conjunction with the Twin Cities Marathon, finishing in 2:18:14 (5th place). He then established himself as a 62 minute half marathoner running the 2006 Dallas White Rock Half (62:59, 1st place), 2007 USA Championship Half-Marathon (62:20, 2nd place) and 2008 USA Championship Half-Marathon (62:40, 6th place). He returned to the marathon distance and ran his fastest time at the 2008 US Olympic Trials (2:16:47, 13th place). In 2008, he was 8th at the USA Marathon Championship/Twin Cities Marathon finishing in an unremarkable 2:20:52. For 2009, Bizuneh had a series of personal bests at championship races - 15k-43:52, 3rd place; 20k -60:00, 7th place; and 25k - 1:16:21, 6th place. If this is evident of his abilities, he may continue his streak of best times and surprise the field.

JORGE TORRES
Age: 29
It's tough to gauge how a runner will perform in their marathon debut. One can judge previous races and statistics; but if genetics is a factor...Jorge Torres will likely to be in the top ten American finishes at the championship marathon. His twin brother, Ed Torres, a 10000m specialist w/ 3 marathons under his belt, took 3rd place finish at the 2008 USA Championships (2:17:54); but Jorge Torres can possibly run faster if proof can also be seen in his past performances.

Torres, a 5000 specialist for about a decade, was 3rd at the 2008 USA 10000m Championships (27:46.33). At the 2009 Great Edinburgh Cross Country 9.0k champs he and his twin brother tied for 13th place and were top Americans in 28:05. Torres won the 2009 Oregon Track Club Open (28:16.81 PR) edging out his brother who is a specialist in the distance by hundredths of seconds. Other accomplishments include a victory at the 2008 Men's 8000m Championship in New York City (22:41.2) and personal bests at the 2009 Great North Run (62:42, 7th place), 2009 USA 15k Championships (44:05, 5th place) and 2009 Cross Country 12.0k nationals (36;16, 4th place). Torres will be a strong contender in a field which already has a number of top Americans, but his style of racing can almost put him in the ranks of Keflezighi, Abdirahman and Hall.

DAN BROWNE
Age: 34
Dan Browne debuted at the marathon distance at the 2002 USA Men's Championships Marathon - winning the race in 2:11:35 (a time that remains his PR) and capturing his tenth overall national champion title. Browne followed that performance with a third place finish at the 2004 Olympic Trials Marathon in 2:12:02 - earning a spot on the USA Olympic Marathon team in addition to his spot on the 10000m squad. After running in the finals at the 2004 Olympics 10000m, Browne also ran the Olympic Marathon, finishing 65th in 2:27:31. After a difficult 2005/2006 punctuated by surgeries and injuries. In 2007, Browne narrowly missed a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team, finishing sixth at the Olympic Trials in 2:13:23. More recently, Browne represented the USA at the 2009 World Championships Marathon and has been running near his all-time personal bests at various distances in 2009.

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USA Men's Marathon Championships - Bios