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Rediff.com  » Sports » Keflezighi is first US man to win Boston Marathon in 30 years
This article was first published 9 years ago

Keflezighi is first US man to win Boston Marathon in 30 years

April 21, 2014 22:25 IST

Image: Meb Keflezighi of the United States crosses the finish line to win the 118th Boston Marathon
Photographs: Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Meb Keflezighi became the first US male athlete to win the Boston Marathon in three decades on Monday, the first running of the race since last year's fatal bombing attack.

Keflezighi, who was born in Eritrea but is now a US citizen, set an official time of two hours, eight minutes and 37 seconds.

Wilson Chebet of Kenya finished second and compatriot Frankline Chepkwony was third.

The last US man to stand atop the podium on Boston's Boylston street was Greg Meyer, who won in 1983.

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Kenya's Rita Jeptoo retains women's crown

Image: Rita Jeptoo of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 118th Boston Marathon
Photographs: Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Kenya's Rita Jeptoo broke a 12-year course record as she successfully defended her women's Boston Marathon title.

Jeptoo pulled away from a pack of rivals that included US runner Shalane Flanagan, who had led the women's group for the first 20 miles of the 26.2-mile race, setting a blistering pace at the first running of the Boston Marathon since last year's fatal bombing attack.

The previous women's record for the course was a time of 2:20:43 set in 2002 by Margaret Okayno of Kenya.

Jeptoo finished with an unofficial time of two hours, 18 minutes and 57 seconds. Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia was second and compatriot Mare Dibaba third.