Meb Forgets to Pack Running Shoes, Will Miss NYC Marathon

Meb Keflezighi had planned to make the 2017 New York City Marathon his swan song—the American distance running legend, 42, was set to retire after finishing the race where he'd made his marathon debut 15 years ago.

Those plans were dashed, however, when he realized he'd forgotten to pack his running shoes for the trip.

"What can I say?" said a philosophical Keflezighi from his midtown hotel room. "I could have sworn they were in there."

He paused to rifle through his open suitcase one final time.

"Nope," he said. "Bummer."

Instead of toeing the line with his fellow elites, then, Keflezighi will watch the race from the official lead vehicle. He said he hasn't yet decided what shoes he will wear, though he's leaning toward the Skechers Avillo slip-on loafers that he wore on the plane for his trip to NYC from his home in San Diego.

"They're super comfortable," he said. "And no laces. You just slip 'em on, slip 'em off."

The race, this Sunday, begins at 9:20 a.m. Eastern.


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