Meb Keflezighi to Start Last at 2014 AJC Peachtree Road Race

Press Release

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 Keflezighi 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 world and 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.