Meb inspired in last run
The Boston Marathon said goodbye to one of its favorite sons, at least in a competitive sense, yesterday when Meb Keflezighi ran down Boylston Street for the final time as a professional.
The 2014 race winner waved and blew kisses to the crowd, and, though hampered by cramps in his quads near the halfway point, he finished 13th in 2:17:00. His win three years ago was the first by an American since Greg Meyer’s 1983 victory.
At the finish line, the 41-year-old Keflezighi spoke briefly with the family of Martin Richard, who was killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Keflezighi said the loss suffered by the Richard family made a big impact on him, and he would like to run for the family’s foundation in the future.
“When I saw the 8-year-old Martin Richard, all I could think of was that could have been my daughter spectating,” Keflezighi said. “I got to meet his brother, sister and mom. Every year I’ve come here I’ve met Bill’s family and one year I want to wear that jersey and run in his honor.”
Yesterday’s marathon was Keflezighi’s 25th. He plans on running New York City, a race he won in 2009, for the final time in the fall. He thanked the BAA for the opportunity over the years, and savored his final race over the fabled course.
“You go out there and execute the best that you can,” he said. “When I got to that finish line I was just happy to have finished my 25th marathon. I have one more and hopefully there’ll be something here in Boston beyond. 2014 was pretty special and today was pretty special. The crowd got me through it.”