Skechers Performance, a division of Skechers USA, Inc., unveiled the race kit to be worn by Meb Keflezighi during the final competitive marathon race of his career at the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 5.
As tribute to his last course, his racing singlet features a graphic overhead view of the streets of New York City. And Meb will wear a custom-built version of the Skechers GO Meb Razor – the racing shoe developed through his partnership with Skechers Performance where he collaborates with the brand on the development of high performance, technical running product. To celebrate Meb’s final race, a limited edition 36 pairs of his racing shoe will be available for sale at the marathon expo, starting today, November 2.
“I couldn’t imagine a better city in which to run my last competitive race,” said Keflezighi. “This is my twenty-sixth marathon and 11th time running New York and it is home to a lot of memories throughout my career. Skechers Performance has also played a huge part of the last several years of my career, so being able to work with them to develop the shoes I will wear for this race is very special to me.”
Since joining Skechers Performance in 2011, Meb set personal records at the 2011 New York Marathon and the 2012 Olympic Trials and took fourth place at the 2012 Olympic Games. He went on to set his current personal record (2:08:37) during his historic win at the 2014 Boston Marathon. Prior to joining Skechers Performance, Keflezighi also won the 2009 New York City Marathon and took home the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Meb is the only athlete in history to win the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon and an Olympic Medal. At age 42, Meb also currently holds the U.S. marathon masters record, which was set at the 2015 New York City Marathon with a time of 2:13:32.
“I’m still going to be running, just not at the elite level or the marathon distance…maybe in a crowd of people or the middle of the pack,” Keflezighi joked about his post-retirement plans. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and working on all the business projects that have been a side focus up until now because of training. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Meb’s final race will not mark the end of his relationship with Skechers Performance as he will continue to serve as an ambassador for the brand and consult on product development and innovation for the brand’s award-winning line of Skechers GOrun performance running shoes.
“That we’ve shared in Meb’s journey has been an incredible honor for the Skechers Performance brand,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “More than an amazing athlete on the course, Meb is truly an inspirational role model to all. We are so proud of his accomplishments and look forward to him continuing as part of the Skechers Performance family as he enters this next phase of his career.”
To celebrate Meb’s final race in New York, Skechers Performance has also released two limited edition versions of the Skechers GO Meb Razor that pays tribute to New York City. The “Transit” collection is an ode to the streets of New York City and the grid system that runners will follow on their 26.2 miles journey. The “Indulge” collection draws inspiration from iconic cuisine of New York and features images of some of the foods that marathon runners will treat themselves to once they cross the finish line. Both limited edition versions are available in men’s and women’s sizes and will be on sale at the marathon expo as well as select Skechers retail stores throughout New York City and online at Skechers.com.
Purchases made at the Skechers Performance booth at the marathon expo can be rounded up to the next whole dollar with the difference donated to the MEB Foundation—Meb’s charity that promotes health, education, and fitness for youth.
Photo courtesy Skechers
