Boston Marathon Elite Runners

Meb Keflezighi celebrates as he crosses the finish line to become the first American man to win Boston since 1983.

Rita Jeptoo, of Kenya, breaks the tape to win the 2014 Boston Marathon. It was her second straigh Boston title and third overall.

Marblehead’s Shalane Flanagan crosses the finish line in a personal best time of 2:22:02, but it was not enough to propel her to victory, as she took seventh in the 2014 Boston Marathon.

American Ryan Hall, who finished third in 2009 and fourth in 2010 and 2011, came in a disappointing 20th in the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Meb Keflezighi and Rita Jeptoo pose for photographers after their wins in the 118th Boston Marathon. Keflegzighi became the first American man to win since 1983, while Jeptoo won her third Boston title.

Josphat Boit (left) and American Meb Keflezighi (right) broke away from the pack by the midway point in the race, before Keflezighi took the lead heading into Newton.

The Elite Men lead the way through the 118th Boston Marathon. American Meb Keflezighi was running stride for stride with Josphat Boit at mile 12, over 30 seconds ahead of the pack.

Shalane Flanagan leads Buzunesh Deba, of Ethiopia, and Mare Dibaba, of Ethiopia, and the elite pack past Wellesley College. Flanagan still led as the runners passed the 25K mark of the race.

The Elite Men take off from the starting line. Defending champion Lelisa Desisa is looking to become the first man since 2006-07 to win back-to-back Boston titles.

The Elite Men this year include Americans Ryan Hall (left side in orange) and Meb Keflezighi (next to Hall in red and white stripes).

The Elite Women take off at the starting line in Hopkinton, led by Marblehead native Shalan Flanagan.

Athletes from the elite women field start during the 118th running of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton. Some 36,000 athletes will run in the 118th Boston Marathon, with top ranked Kenyan and Ethiopian runners among the second-largest field in the race’s history.