With ties to the Bay area, relatives of Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi celebrated a proud moment for their family.
“I did shed a tear,” said his sister-in-law, Hadas Asedgon. “I know how much he puts into it.”
“It was unbelievable,” said his brother-in-law, Maurice Loregnard. “It couldn't happen to a more deserving athlete.”
Relatives said running the first race since the bombings had meaning to Keflezighi.
"I actually think that was one of his inspirations,” said Hadas. "He had their names on his bib so I think he carried that wave and he knew how much it meant to us, the USA as well as the world just to be able to overcome that and say hey we finished and we finished strong."
University of Tampa track coach Dror Vaknin trained with Keflezighi when he was visiting in December. Vaknin said they worked out along Bayshore, riding a bike while Keflezighi ran, to help keep pace.
Vaknin said seeing the live feed of his friend win was emotional and meaningful in more ways than one.
"It was just neat to see," Vaknin said. "I think the fire, the excitement of kinda seeing somebody that you know win such a prestigious marathon, the meaning behind Boston being the ultimate marathon, the meaning after the bombings last year, the meaning of being the first American to win in 30 years, it's all really just amazing."