Although this year’s Boston Marathon winner rarely trails when he races, Meb Keflezighi will line up at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race at the back of the field.
As the last participant to start the Peachtree, Keflezighi will try to pass as many runners as he can during the 6.2-mile journey in the name of Kilometer Kids, a youth running program run by Atlanta Track Club. The former Olympian hopes to raise $75,000 as the featured runner in the first Kilometer Kids Charity Chase.
By donating to Kilometer Kids online fundraiser, supporters of the first American Boston Marathon winner in more than three decades can help young people in the Atlanta metro area access Atlanta Track Club’s program and further encourage health and wellness by 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,” Keflezighi said in a press release. “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 balance a busy schedule leading up to the Peachtree Road Race, including an appearance at the Peachtree Health and Fitness Expo and an outdoor elliptical bike race. On July 2, Keflezighi will man the Atlanta Track Club’s booth at the World Congress Center to inform expo visitors of his fundraising goals in the inaugural Charity Chase.
The following day, Keflezighi will ride a “Meb 8S” ElliptiGO outdoor elliptical bike in a race at Piedmont Park. To celebrate the release of a limited-edition version of the ElliptiGO — an instrumental part of his training regimen and ultimately his Boston Marathon win — Keflezighi will race against Atlanta community leaders and corporate executives.
Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, has a donation goal of $75,000 in the Charity Chase. For information about donating to the program, visit charitychaseforkids.org.
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