Meseret Defar to Compete at Reebok Boston Indoor Games

Meseret Defar (l) & Shalene Flanagan (r)

Red Sox fans are legendary for their fervor. What most people don’t know is that Boston track fans can be every bit as rabid about their passion, braving brutal weather to cheer on their favorite runners throughout two major, prestigious running events: the Boston Marathon and the Reebok Boston Indoor Games.

On January 26, the Reebok Boston Indoor Games will be a track meet to behold. Last year’s event produced a women’s world record in the 5k, Alan Webb’s fastest indoor mile race and a complete show by distance runner Craig Mottram.

Casual fans may not know that since the Reebok Boston Indoor Games began in 1996 the indoor track meet has attracted elite runners from around the globe to compete.

This year is no different, and a star-studded line up is set to compete. The Reebok Boston Indoor Games is the second stop on the Visa Championship Series, which is the indoor professional track circuit hosted by USA Track & Field.

Among the stars competing are Meseret Defar, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and world champion at 5,000 meters, who was named World Athlete of the Year in the sport.

Defending champion Craig Mottram of Australia, New Zealand's Nick Willis, Ethiopia's Tariku Bekele and American phenom Galen Rupp lead a top international field for the men's 3,000-meter run at the 2008 Reebok Boston Indoor Games on January 26, organizers announced Thursday.

Tickets for the 13th annual Reebok Boston Indoor Games are on sale now at the event website, www.BostonIndoorGames.com, or by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC.

Of course, USA Track & Field would love for you to pay with your Visa.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist