Meb Keflezighi Becomes 1st American Man To Win Boston Marathon Since 1983
BOSTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — A remarkable finish and a remarkable story.
American Meb Keflezighi has won the Boston Marathon, a year after a bombing at the finish line left three dead and more than 260 people injured.
Keflezighi is a former New York City Marathon champion and Olympic medalist. He ran the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to the finish on Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay on Monday in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 37 seconds.
For the first time since 1983 an American man has won the Boston Marathon! Congratulations Meb Keflezighi!
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 21, 2014
Keflezighi held off Wilson Chebet of Kenya who finished 11 seconds behind. The 38-year-old from San Diego looked over his shoulder several times over the final mile. After realizing he wouldn't be caught, he raised his sunglasses, began pumping his right fist and made the sign of the cross.
"At the end, I just kept thinking, 'Boston Strong. Boston Strong,'" he said. "I was thinking, 'Give everything you have.' If you get beat, that's it."
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The victory is the third career win for Meb Keflezighi. He won the TCS New York City Marathon in 2009 and the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012.
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 21, 2014
Fenway crowd erupts upon news of Meb Keflezighi's victory in the Marathon.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) April 21, 2014
No U.S. runner had won the race since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach took the women's title in 1985; the last American man to win was Greg Meyer in 1983.
"I'm blessed to be an American and God Bless America and God Bless Boston for this special day," Keflezighi said.
Keflezighi ran with the names of four victims written in marker on his bib. Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard and Lu Lingzi were killed in the twin bombings of April 15, 2013. Sean Collier, an officer at MIT, was killed three days later during a manhunt for the suspects.
@runmeb Running with inspiration on his bib MR, LL, KC, SC #weruntogether pic.twitter.com/AapsS77xIc
— Boston Marathon Pro (@BostonMar_Pro) April 21, 2014
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