Rita Jeptoo, Keflezighi's historic Boston Marathon wins

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya successfully defended the women's title she said she could not enjoy a year ago. 'I came here to support the people in Boston and show them that we are here together,' she said.

The Boston Marathon celebrated its first American winner in 29 years on Monday, and on his race bib he had the names of the 2013 bombing victims.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" played over the Boylston Street finishing area in honor of Meb Keflizighi.

One year after a bombing there killed three people and left more than 260 injured, Keflezighi added Boston to a resume that includes the New York City Marathon title in 2009 and a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics.

"At the end, I just kept thinking, 'Boston strong. Boston strong,'" he said. "I was thinking give everything you have. If you get beat, that's it."

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya successfully defended the women's title she said she could not enjoy a year ago.

Running just two weeks before his 39th birthday, Keflezighi completed the 26.2 miles (42 kilometers) from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay in a personal-best 2 hours, 8 minutes, 37 seconds. He held off Kenya's Wilson Chebet, who finished 11 seconds behind.

Keflezighi went out early and built a big lead. But he was looking over his shoulder several times as Chebet closed the gap over the final two miles (three kilometers). After realizing he wouldn't be caught, Keflezighi raised his sunglasses, began pumping his right fist and made the sign of the cross. He broke into tears after crossing the finish line, then draped himself in the American flag.

No U.S. runner had won the race since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach took the women's title in 1985; the last American man to win was Greg Meyer in 1983. Meyer and Keflezighi embraced after the race.

"I'm blessed to be an American, and God bless America and God bless Boston for this special day," Keflezighi said.

Last year's men's champion, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, did not finish, and had to be picked up by a van about 21 miles (34 kilometers) in.

Jeptoo finished in a course-record 2:18:57. She is a three-time Boston Marathon champion, having also won in 2006.

"I came here to support the people in Boston and show them that we are here together," she said. "I decided to support them and show them we are here together."

Jeptoo broke away from a group of five runners at the 23-mile (37-kilometer) mark. Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia finished second in 2:19:59. Countrywoman Mare Dibaba was third at 2:19:52. All three women came in under the previous course record.

After breaking a 27-year American drought at the New York Marathon, Keflezighi contemplated retiring after the 2012 New York Marathon. But that race was canceled because of Superstorm Sandy, and he pulled out of the Boston Marathon last April because of injury. He watched the race from the stands at the finish line, but said he left about five minutes before the bombs went off.

He was the first American to win a medal in an Olympic marathon since Frank Shorter won gold in 1972 and silver in 1976.

Another American, Tatyana McFadden, celebrated her 25th birthday Monday by winning the women's wheelchair race for the second straight year. She was timed in in 1:35:06.

Ernst van Dyk of South Africa won the men's wheelchair division for a record 10th time. The 41-year-old crossed the finish line in 1:20:36.

Van Dyk holds the record for most all-categories Boston Marathon wins. This was his first win at this race since 2010.

Marathon officials said 35,755 runners registered for the race, with 32,408 unofficial starters. The field included just less than 5,000 runners who did not finish last year and accepted invitations to return this year.

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Associated Press freelance writer Ken Powtak contributed to this report.