Meb qualifies for fourth Olympics, while Rupp wins trials in marathon debut
Meb Keflezighi qualified for his fourth Olympics while long distance track-and-field runner Galen Rupp won the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in his marathon debut in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.
Rupp, who won the silver medal behind Mo Farah in the 10,000 meters at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, finished the 26.2 miles in a little over two hours and 11 minutes on what was said to be the hottest marathon trials day ever, with temperatures nearing 80 degrees. The Portland, Oregon, native said he was planning to run both the 10K and the marathon at Rio this summer.
Former Boston Marathon winner and 2004 Athens silver medalist Keflezighi, who will turn 41 in May, is said to be the oldest Olympic marathoner in history.
Jared Ward finished third, qualifying him for his first Olympic Games.
WELCOME to the team @G_Rupp, @runmeb, & @jwardy21!!
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) February 13, 2016
Join us in congratulating the @usatf Olympic marathon team! ?? pic.twitter.com/0gN0GTzUKM
On the women's side, experience won out as Amy Cragg rebounded from her fourth-place marathon finish in 2012 to win the trials and punch her ticket to Rio. She was followed by London Olympian Desiree Linden and Shalane Flanagan, who qualified for her fourth Olympic team. All women are over the age of 30.
CONGRATS to the first 3 finishers, @HastyHastings, Desiree Linden, & @ShalaneFlanagan, at U.S. Olympic Team Trials! pic.twitter.com/jC7rGw8pgW
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) February 13, 2016
