Meb Keflezighi, who grew up in San Diego and graduated from San Diego High School, won the Boston Marathon today, the first American man to win the prestigious race since 1983.
The 38-year old marathoner who now lives in Mammoth Lakes won what has to be the greatest race of his career, breaking his own personal best record by nearly a minute to finish the 26.2 mile race in 2:08:37. He has also won the 2009 New York City Marathon, and the silver medal in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games.
Keflezighi wore the names of the four victims of the Boston bombing attack of last year on his bib, dedicating his race to them.
Born in Asmara, Eritrea, he immigrated to this country with his family when he was 12, and began running as a student at Roosevelt Middle School in North Park. He had a distinguished running career at UCLA.
The women’s race was won by Rita Jeptoo of Kenya in 2:18:57.
