Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi on Tuesday was named vice president of running at the San Diego-based Competitor Group Inc., which stages road races around the country.
The San Diego High graduate, who in April became the first American male to win in Boston in 31 years, will develop training content and help the company’s growth in the running industry.
Keflezighi, 39, is the first to hold the position in the firm, which puts on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.
“I look forward to working with CGI to help grow and expand the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series with their new running festival weekends,” Keflezighi said.
“From developing training plans to collaborating for social media content and participating in the events, I am excited to share my love for our sport with so many runners around the world and help millions of runners run to win — which doesn’t always mean first place, it means getting the best out of yourself.”
He will continue competitive running and serving as an ambassador for his sponsors.
David Abeles, CEO of the Competitor Group, said Keflezighi has a “proven ability to inspire and motivate runners of all levels.”
Keflezighi and his wife, Yordanos, live in Mission Hills with their three daughters.
USA Today first reported the news Monday, and quoted Keflezighi as saying:
“My dream has been realized. Boston was the capping. Now I want to inspire others to get the best out of themselves, inspire others just getting started. I feel honored to have the role of VP of running. It’s a huge honor. I am so excited to have an office more so than anything.”
USA Today added: “In his position, Keflezighi will play a key role working with event managers for Rock ‘n’ Roll races, developing training content and appearing and competing at events. He still will compete professionally. He said he will run a few more marathons with the goal of making his fourth Olympic team. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, he will be 41.”
Sometime in the next two weeks, the paper said, Keflezighi will escort his father on a visit to Competitor Group’s headquarters on Waples Street in Sorrento Valley. He will give him a tour, then show him his office.
“He knows about the job, but hasn’t seen the office. I want to experience that moment with him,” he said.
— City News Service contributed to this report.
