Festival Foods to Host Meb Keflezighi

June 8, 2017

Public can tune in for Facebook Live, join elite athlete for in-store Q&A

Decorated marathoner, perennial crowd favorite and defending Bellin Run champion Meb Keflezighi will make a special lunchtime appearance at the Festival Foods location at 2430 University Ave. on Green Bay’s north side on Friday, June 9, the day before the 41st annual Bellin Run.

Known to the running world simply as “Meb,” Keflezighi, 42, is one of the most recognizable Americans in the history of the sport. He is wrapping up his storied competitive marathon career, which will culminate in his final race in New York City on Nov. 5. He captured the hearts of millions when he won the Boston Marathon in 2014, the year after terrorists attacked the event. Keflezighi also is a four-time Olympian and past New York Marathon champion. He is the only athlete in history to win the New York and Boston marathons, as well as an Olympic medal.

This year’s Bellin Run will be Keflezighi’s fourth, and he is returning as reigning champion after third-place finishes in 2014 and 2015. This is his first time running for Festival Foods, a major sponsor and longtime partner of the Bellin Run.
Friday’s appearance will take place in the Community Room of Festival’s newest Green Bay-area store. It will have two components, both of which are free and open to the public:

• A Facebook Live event beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the Bellin Run Facebook page. Keflezighi will discuss pre- and post-run fueling, sharing some of his favorite nutritious meals and snacks with viewers.
• An in-person presentation and question-and-answer session beginning at noon. Keflezighi will share his inspirational story and answer questions from the audience.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Festival Foods to offer our community another great opportunity to interact with and learn from Meb,” said Bellin Run executive race director Randy Van Straten. “By presenting events like this one, we’re able to further educate the community on the importance of healthy living, which is what our organizations are all about.”

Added Brian Stenzel, Festival Foods director of community involvement:

“The Bellin Run is such a staple of Green Bay and has helped to keep the community moving and healthy for over 40 years. Festival Foods is honored to support the event as a whole along with hosting not only an elite athlete but an outstanding ambassador to the sport of running – Meb Keflezighi.”