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Toward the end of his 26.2-mile journey through New York, Meb Keflezighi found the energy to point to the red letters on his singlet: USA.

He tapped his chest with pride, acutely aware of the significance of his victory. As he crossed the finish line he became the first American since 1982 to win the New York City Marathon.

But the celebration of his 2:09:15 achievement, which is another step forward for American distance running, has been marred by the curious reaction of some of his fellow Americans who say he is not truly American. Not American enough.

Are these the rants of a vocal minority who get kicks by sending cowardly Internet messages? I suspect it's more than a fringe element. For this isn't just an argument about nationality but about race. Those two...