No. 5 | No. 4 | No. 3 | No. 2 | No. 1

Meb Keflezighi
After winning the Boston Marathon and placing a solid fourth in New York, Meb Keflezighi was a lock as the Male Athlete of 2014. The 39-year-old continues to defy age by beating younger competitors with faster PRs at the most competitive races in the world. Keflezighi doesn’t have sub 2:05 speed, but his mental strength makes him the toughest competitor in any field. In 2014, Keflezighi proved once again that he is the best American marathoner.

For a fan, Keflezighi is a delight to root for. He is incredibly consistent in a distance that is so often unforgiving, and he wears his emotions entirely on his sleeves. That was never more apparent than in 2014, as he sobbed uncontrollably after winning Boston and provided another inspiring performance by placing fourth in New York on a brutal day. In a sport that still struggles to rid itself of drug cheats and sagging popularity, Meb Keflezighi exemplifies everything that is right about professional running.