It’s About Time

By Michael BenningerMeb Keflezighi, shown here winning the New York City Marathon in 2009.” src=”https://www.pacificsandiego.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/MEB_Courtesy_of_New_York_Road_Runners.jpg” alt=”Meb Keflezighi, shown here winning the New York City Marathon in 2009.” width=”249” height=”375” />

On April 21, San Diego High School grad Meb Keflezighi won the Boston Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:08:37. The historic win marks the first time an American has taken the Boston ribbon since 1983.

“I wanted to win it for the people of Boston,” Keflezighi said in an interview with USA Today. As PacificSD reported when Keflezighi won the New York City Marathon in 2009 (the previous American to win that race did so in 1982), the 38-year-old Eritrean-American grew up in a hut without electricity, immigrating to San Diego in the late-’80s to escape the turmoil of a 30-year war between the West African countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Keflezighi’s latest win, punctuated by uproarious cheers of Go, Meb, Go!, makes Boston even stronger... and San Diego proud.

GO, DAVE, GO!

Local nightlife hero Dave Renzella (the “D” in RMD Group, which owns and/or operates FLUXX, Side Bar, F6ix, Ciro’s Pizzeria, Don Chido and other popular San Diego venues) ran the Boston Marathon on April 21, finishing in 4:38:31.

“It was my slowest marathon ever but the best experience I have ever had running one, as it was a very special day in Boston,” says Renzella, who has completed 23 marathons and ran this one to support Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in loving memory of his parents, both of whom passed away from cancer. “I hadn’t run a marathon in seven years, but wanted to come back this year to show support for my hometown. Boston Strong.”

To donate to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, visit dana-farber.org.