BOSTON -- "The Star-Spangled Banner" played over Boylston Street in honour of an American winner of the Boston Marathon. Jason Verrett Jersey . One year after a bombing there killed three people and left more than 260 injured, Meb Keflezighi added Boston to a resume that includes the New York City Marathon title in 2009 and a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics. Running just two weeks before his 39th birthday, he had the names of the 2013 bombing victims on his bib. "At the end, I just kept thinking, Boston Strong. Boston Strong," he said. "I was thinking Give everything you have. If you get beat, thats it." Keflezighi completed the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to the finish on Boylston Street in Bostons Back Bay on Monday in a personal-best 2 hours, 8 minutes, 37 seconds. He held off Kenyas Wilson Chebet, who finished 11 seconds behind. Edmontons Tom McGrath was the top Canadian, finishing 101st in 2:30:24. 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. After realizing he wouldnt 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 womens title in 1985. The last American man to win was Greg Meyer in 1983. Meyer and Keflezighi embraced after the race. "Im blessed to be an American and God bless America and God bless Boston for this special day," Keflezighi said. Rita Jeptoo of Kenya successfully defended the womens title she said she could not enjoy a year ago. Jeptoo finished in a course-record 2 hours, 18 minutes, 57 seconds. 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 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. Lanni Marchant of London, Ont., was the top Canadian in 14th. American Shalane Flanagan, who went to high school in nearby Marblehead, finished seventh after leading for more than half the race. She gambled by setting the early pace, but fell back on the Newton Hills about 21 miles into the race. "It does mean a lot to be that my city was proud of me," she said. "Im proud of how I ran. I dont wish I was it was easier. I wish I was better." After breaking a 27-year American drought at the New York marathon, Keflezighi contemplated retiring after the 2012 NYC Marathon. But that race was cancelled 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 medal in an Olympic marathon since Frank Shorter won gold in 1972 and silver in 1976. His 2009 New York victory broke a 27-year American drought there. Another American, Tatyana McFadden, celebrated her 25th birthday Monday by winning the womens wheelchair race for the second straight year. She was timed in in 1 hour, 35 minutes, 6 seconds. McFadden was born in Russia and lived in an orphanage as a child before starring at the University of Illinois. She also won the 2013 NYC Marathon womens wheelchair race after taking the titles in Boston, London and Chicago last year. Ernst van Dyk of South Africa won the mens wheelchair division for a record 10th time. The 41-year-old crossed in 1 hour, 20 minutes, 36 seconds. Van Dyk holds the record for most all-categories Boston Marathon wins. This was his first win at this race since 2010. Last years mens champion, Lelisa Desisa, did not finish this years race, and had to be picked up by a van about 21 miles into the event. 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 were not able to finish last year and accepted invitations to return this year. Dan Fouts Authentic Jersey . Doneil Henry, the man who scored Toronto FCs last-gasp game winner Saturday, knows that probably better than anyone. Jeremiah Attaochu Jersey .S. international midfielder Michael Bradley. The club has already announced the signing of Defoe, with the 31-year-old Spurs star set to be unveiled at a news conference Monday morning at the huge high-tech sports bar owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment across the street from the Air Canada Centre.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. The fifth-round draft pick became a cornerstone of tough offensive lines. Diehl missed only 12 games in his career, starting at every position on the line but centre. Addison Diehl accompanied him to the training centre Friday and told team president John Mara that she had "allowed" her dad to retire. "Its not very easy for my daughter to talk about me retiring and not playing football," Diehl said. "The Giants are just as much family to her as they are to me. Shes been going to the games and at 7 years old, she understands everything. She understands the game and the players and how important it is to play in the NFL. "For her, my stepping away from something she loves as much as I do is not an easy thing." Diehl was selected to the 2009 Pro Bowl. Diehl was the only Giants player whose arrival predated coach Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. With his retirement, the longest-tenured Giants are guard Chris Snee and Manning. "When I think of David Diehl what comes to mind is his indomitable spirit," Coughlin said. "He got the most out of his God-given ability and thats the best way that you can judge any individuall. Shareece Wright Authentic Jersey. " Diehl started the first 120 regular-season games and seven post-season games in his career, the longest such streak by a Giant since the introduction of the 16-game schedule in 1978. The streak ended on Nov. 14, 2010 against Dallas because of hip and hamstring injuries. He ends his career with 164 regular-season games played, tying Phil Simms for 12th on the franchises all-time list. "I love football," he said. "I love being in the game, I love watching film, I love doing all of that and Im going to miss that aspect of it. But I know Im ready to start the new and next chapter of my life. Im ready to not only be a bigger part of my daughters life, but Im ready to spread my knowledge and help other people with the game and continue to do stuff throughout our community and charity work and be involved with the New York Giants in any way possible." In the regular season, Diehl started 65 games at left tackle, 42 at left guard, 26 at right tackle and 27 at right guard. In the post-season, Diehl has 10 starts at left tackle and one at left guard. "He took the talent that he had and he used it to the extreme, to the utmost of his ability," Coughlin said. "What more can you ask of the guy? And he gave great effort. He always gave great effort, there was no doubt about that. You knew exactly what you were getting." ' ' '
