American Meb Keflezighi Dominates Boston Marathon

By Francisco Romero

More than 35, 000 signed up to run the Boston Marathon this year and after 2 hours, 8 minutes and 37 seconds, American Meb Keflezighi finished first across the finish line to conquer the 2014 edition of the race.

It was en event filled with mixed emotions, security was tight, but the festive mood was alive. All this, a year after a pair of homemade bombs killed three people and wounded more than 260 others near the finish line of the marathon.

Around 3,500 police officers patrolled and secured the race, more than doubled the usual number of officers from previous marathons.

Keflezighi became the first U.S. runner to win the race since 1985 when Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach won the women’s race. The last time an American won the men’s race was 1983 when Greg Meyer crossed the finish line first.

Kefleizighi won the New York City Marathon in in 2009 and in 2004 he won the silver medal in the Olympics.

Rita Jeptoo from Kenya won the women’s title; it’s her third Boston Marathon win.

The message of “Boston Strong” appeared throughout the city and that is exactly how the 26.2 course was approached. The support for the city and the marathon has been felt since last year’s tragedy.

Sunday night the Boston Red Sox in a pre game ceremony recognized those affected by the bombings. Doctors, nurses, emergency medical personnel and therapists were on the field and greeted by loud cheers and ovations.