26 Marathons

November 1, 2018

The only marathoner ever to win an Olympic medal and the New York and Boston marathons, Keflezighi reflects on the triumphs and challenges of the 26 marathons he has run as a way to inspire all runners. He also shares the larger lessons he has learned about family, faith, and life. Meb for Mortals was a New York Times best seller.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2019
Many celebrities are known by one name: Cher, Bono, and Madonna?and for runners there's Meb. The four-time Olympian (Eritrean born, San Diego raised) has become a household name in running circles, thanks to his numerous national titles, but it's his career as a world-class marathoner?earning him an Olympic silver medal along with one New York City Marathon victory and an emotional triumph at the 2014 Boston Marathon?that helped catapult him to celebrity status. This is a welcome follow-up to both his autobiography, Run to Overcome (2010), and his marathon training guide, Meb for Mortals (2015). Each chapter highlights race experiences and key lessons gleaned from 26 marathons, arranged chronologically and spanning the years 2002-17, and it covers such topics as setting goals, knowing when to underpromise and overdeliver, and reminding aging runners to listen to their bodies and adapt to changing needs. He concludes with this sage advice: Giving your best over the whole course is what life is about. 26 Marathons is a swift read, guaranteed to be popular with student athletes plus hard-core and recreational runners, who will undoubtedly agree that Meb is an American treasure and running ambassador who never fails to inspire.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)