19 Facts About Matt Tegenkamp

Matthew "Teg" Tegenkamp was born on January 19,1982 and is a retired professional runner from Lee's Summit, Missouri who specialized in various long-distance events.

Matt Tegenkamp trained with other members of the KIMbia Athletics group and was sponsored by Nike during his professional career.

Matt Tegenkamp set an American record in the outdoor two mile and achieved other performances that were near record breaking during his career.

Matt Tegenkamp gained national recognition his senior year at Lee's Summit High School when he placed second in the Midwest Regional for cross country and fifth at the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships.

Matt Tegenkamp then placed fifth at the World Junior Cross Country Championships, behind Ritzenhein and future world record holder, Kenenisa Bekele.

Matt Tegenkamp soon began to struggle with injuries that hindered him until Wisconsin coach, Jerry Schumacher, changed his training regimen.

Matt Tegenkamp responded quickly, lowering his 5000m PR to 13:30.90 in 2004.

Matt Tegenkamp ended his 2006 season by getting a bronze medal in the 5000m at the IAAF World Cup in Athletics, with a time of 13:36.83.

At the 2007 IAAF world championships Matt Tegenkamp finished fourth in the 5,000m event, missing out on the bronze medal by.

In 2009, Matt Tegenkamp became one of only 6 non-African runners to break the 13 minute barrier in the 5000 meters with his PR of 12:58.56.

In 2011, Matt Tegenkamp made his first attempt at the 10,000 meter distance.

Matt Tegenkamp was once quoted saying, "Teg doesn't run no 10k," though he later retracted this statement and made his track 10,000 meter debut on May 1,2011 at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational, running 27:28.22.

Matt Tegenkamp finished runner-up at the 2011 USA 10,0000 meter championships, closing the final 800 meters in 1:53.

Matt Tegenkamp then went on to compete in the 10,000 meters at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where he finished 19th at 28:18.26.

On July 4,2013, Matt Tegenkamp became the US Road 10k Champion at the Peachtree Road Race, finishing with a time of 28:25.

On October 13,2013, Matt Tegenkamp debuted at the marathon distance in the Chicago Marathon, placing 10th in 2:12:28.

In February 2016, Matt Tegenkamp announced his retirement from the sport of track and field.

Matt Tegenkamp became the American two-mile record holder, with a time of 8:07.07, set at the Prefontaine Classic in 2007.

Matt Tegenkamp holds a 5,000 meter PR of 12:58.56, which put him in line as the fourth American to have run under 13 minutes, and a 1,500 meter PR of 3:34.25.