BOSTON (AP) — U.S. marathon officials are hoping that this is the year a U.S. runner breaks through and wins the Boston Marathon.
With New York City Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi and fellow Californian Ryan Hall in the field Monday, the Americans have two good chances for a victory.
No American man has won the world's oldest annual marathon since Greg Myers in 1984. Lisa Larsen Wiedenbach won the women's race the next year.
Keflezighi won the silver medal in the Athens Olympics and finished third in Boston in 2006. Hall was third in Boston last year after leading much of the race.
Defending champions Deriba Merga of Ethiopia and Salina Kosgei (KOZ-gay) of Kenya are back in the field this year.
