Photo: Erik Pendzich/REX USA.In the year since the Boston Marathon bombing, we've heard countless incredible stories of hope and bravery from the survivors of the explosions that killed three people and injured over 260 others. In particular, we've taken in all the ways the people of Boston have rallied together, displaying exceptional strength in the aftermath of tragedy. And, today brings another major source of inspiration out of Boston: Meb Keflezighi just became the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983.
Keflezighi is already a distance-running champion; he won the New York Marathon in 2009 and took silver in the marathon event at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Adding another victory to that impressive list, he finished today's race in two hours, eight minutes, and 37 seconds — 11 seconds ahead of Kenya's Wilson Chebet, who came in second.
Keflezighi came to the U.S. back in 1985 at the age of 12 as a refugee from what is now Eritrea. He is the first American citizen to win the Boston Marathon since Greg Meyer came in first place in 1983. When asked about his feelings on being the first American to win the race in over 30 years, Keflezighi told The Boston Globe, “It was not about me. It was about Boston Strong.” (The Boston Globe)