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Photos: American Man Meb Keflezighi Wins Boston Marathon

HOPKINGTON, MA - APRIL 21: A father carrying his son on his shoulder watches the scene at the starting line of the Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014 in Hopkington, Massachusetts. Today marks the 118th Boston Marathon; security presence has been increased this year, due to two bombs that were detonated at the finish line last year, killing three people and injuring more than 260 others. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Boston Strong. Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images

Thirty-eight-year-old Meb Keflezighi became the first male U.S. runner since 1983 to win the Boston Marathon today, with a time of 2 hours 8 minutes and 37 seconds, while Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo, 33, defended her title on the women’s side. More than 35,000 others participated in the annual run — 9,000 more than last year, when two bombs killed three people and injured more than 250.

Take back that finish line!” yelled the race’s announcer this morning as the sun shone down on a mix of memorial tributes and pure, adrenaline-fueled joy.

And then they did:

A moment of silence. Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images
Security. Photo: Jared Wickerham/2014 Getty Images
Runners prep. Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images
A police officer stands amid runners getting ready. Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images
And they’re off. Photo: Boston Globe/2014 - The Boston Globe
The Elite Women’s division starts. Photo: Alex Trautwig/2014 Getty Images
Buzunesh Deba, of Ethiopia, looks over her shoulder on the home stretch of Boylston Street as she came in for a second-place finish in the women’s race. Photo: Boston Globe/2014 - The Boston Globe
People cheer as Meb Keflezighi wins. Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images
Tatyana McFadden poses for photographers at the finish line after winning the women’s wheelchair division of the 118th Boston Marathon. Photo: Boston Globe/2014 - The Boston Globe
Rita Jeptoo of Kenya crosses the finish line in first place in the women’s division. Photo: Jared Wickerham/2014 Getty Images
Keflezighi, for the win. Photo: Jared Wickerham/2014 Getty Images
Meb Keflezighi celebrates. Photo: Jim Rogash/2014 Getty Images
American Man Meb Keflezighi Wins Boston Marathon