clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2012 Olympics: Meb Keflezighi Qualifies For London With U.S. Marathon Trials Win

Keflezighi, a former UCLA Bruin, ran a personal best 2:09:08 on Saturday in Houston.

By Eric Stephen

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Meb Keflezighi of the USA celebrates as he crosses the finish line in six place in the Men's Division of the 42nd ING New York City Marathon on November 6, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Meb Keflezighi of the USA celebrates as he crosses the finish line in six place in the Men's Division of the 42nd ING New York City Marathon on November 6, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Former UCLA Bruin Meb Keflezighi qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London on Saturday by winning the United States Olympic marathon trials in Houston. At 36, Keflezighi became the oldest men's Olympic trial champion, per David Leon Moore of USA Today.

Keflezighi ran the marathon in Houston at 2:09:08, his best time ever, and will be joined by Ryan Hall (2:09:30) and Abdi Abdirahman on the U.S. Men's Olympic marathon team, with Dathan Ritzenhein as the alternate.

The Kenyan-born Keflezighi won the silver medal for the marathon in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He also competed in the 10,000 meters in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, finishing 12th in the event. He won the New York Marathon in 2009.

While at UCLA, Keflezighi won NCAA championships in the 5,000 meters indoors and outdoors, the 10,000 meters outdoors, and cross-country.

For a complete rundown of the men's and women's Olympic marathon teams, be sure to read Stride Nation.