Maui Jim announced that elite long-distance runner, Meb Keflezighi, who has won the New York Marathon, the
Boston Marathon and an Olympic Medal, has joined its team of sports ambassadors.
Keflezighi will promote the company’s PolarizedPlus2 sunglass lens technology for running.
From his arrival in America as a refugee from Eritrea to his victorious finish at the emotionally charged 2014 Boston Marathon, Keflezighi has secured not only his place in history, but also in the hearts and minds of millions.
A graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), his record also includes four NCAA championships, 23 National Championships and a place on three United States Olympic teams.
“Meb is an outstanding example of what we believe at Maui Jim,” said Jay Black, Vice President Global Marketing for Maui Jim. “Aside from his amazing personal accomplishments in running, his focus is on helping others achieve their personal best. He is admired because he lives what he believes that success is defined by having a healthy, active lifestyle that is anchored by a strong moral fabric. We’re looking forward to working with him and to cheering for him as he competes in the upcoming Boston Marathon in his Maui Jims.”
Following his win of the 2014 Boston Marathon, when he was two weeks shy of his 39th birthday, other runners wanted to learn his secrets to success. Arriving on shelves on April 7, he will share his training, nutrition and mental principles in his second book, Meb for Mortals: How to Run, Think and Eat Like A Champion Marathoner (Rodale Books, April 2015), co-written by Scott Douglas. This follows his first book that chronicle his life’s history, Run to Overcome, the inspiring story of an American champion’s long-distance quest to achieve a big dream, co-written by Dick Patrick (Tyndale Press, June 2014).
In between training, competing and making appearances on behalf of sponsors, he oversees the MEB (Maintaining Excellent Balance) Foundation, which is committed to promoting youth health, education and fitness.
Meb will wear several styles of Maui Jim sunglasses, including Olowalu, Nakalele and Breakwall. “I fell in love with Maui Jim sunglasses the first time I tested them. I found them to be perfect for long-distance running,” said Meb. “They have some of the lightest technology in eyewear, so I forget they’re on my face. More importantly, I have to do everything I can to not contribute to exhaustion during long runs. Squinting from the sun or wind drains your energy and can affect your whole body. There are studies that show that sunglasses reduce heart rates and increase running performance. Maui Jim’s lens technologies cut the UV rays and glare so that my eyes stay comfortable; and I can focus all my energy on running.”
All Maui Jim lenses are distinguished from other competing sunglass lenses on the market by the company’s patented nine-layer PolarizedPlus2 technology that cuts 100 percent of UV rays and 99.9 percent of glare from above, below and behind each lens. Maui Jim uses three rare earth elements and other treatments to white-balance its lenses. PolarizedPlus2 technology also increases definition and depth perception.
