Community Corner

Boston Marathon 2014: American Meb Keflezighi Wins

One year after a pair of deadly bombings, the race featured one of the largest fields in its history.


American Meb Keflezighi won the Boston Marathon today.

His official time was 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 37 seconds.

Keflezighi is the first American to win the race since 1983.

"It was my dream to win Boston," Keflezighi, of San Diego, Calif., said in a press conference after the race.

In the women's field, Rita Jeptoo won with an official time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 57 seconds. It was the Kenyan's third Boston Marathon victory.

In the wheelchair division, Ernst Van Dyk of Russia won with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, 36 seconds.

The 118th running of the marathon featured about 36,000 runners, a million spectators, and an unprecedented security presence following last year's deadly bombings.

The field was the second-largest in the marathon's history. Officials allowed more runners than usual after thousands were unable to finish last year's race due to the bombings.

The official count was 35,755 total entries (Men: 19,648; Women 16,107).

Planning on heading to the finish line? Boston Police at just before 1 p.m. Monday say Boylston Street has reached capacity and is now closed to pedestrian traffic. Spectators are being directed to Kenmore Square.

The race will be broadcast on WBZ-TV and live-steamed on the Boston Athletic Association website.

The weather forecast called for sunny skies, with a high of 62 degrees and a light wind of about 8 mph.

Law enforcement officials instituted a host of security measures. Unlike in previous years, unregistered "bandit" runners will be prohibited. Click here for spectator guidelines.

Race officials urged spectators to use public transportation. The regular MBTA service schedule was modified for today's race.


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