(REUTERS) – Meb Keflezighi and Shalane Flanagan won the men’s and women’s races at US marathon trials for the London Olympics. Meb Keflezighi and Shalane Flanagan won the men’s and women’s races at US marathon trials for the London Olympics.
Eritrea-born Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist overhauled pre-race favourite Ryan Hall in the final four miles to run a personal best two hours, nine minutes and eight seconds on a crisp morning in Houston, Texas.
“To be on my third Olympic team is all I have dreamed about,” the 36-year-old Keflezighi said.
Hall, who led much of the race, finished second in 2:09:30.
Three-time 10 000 metres Olympian Abdi Abdirahman grabbed the final U.S. spot in 2:09:47.
Flanagan, the 2008 Beijing Games 10 000 metres bronze medallist, ran a lifetime best 2:25:38 and a trials record, to win the women’s race.
Boston Marathon runner-up Desi Davila took second in 2:25:55 and Olympian Kara Goucher was third in 2:26:06.