BOSTON — Two hours after Lelisa Desisa won the Boston Marathon in 2013, two bombs ripped through the finish area, killing three spectators and wounding 264 others.
In the aftermath, Desisa formed a bond with the people of Boston and presented his winner’s medal back to the city.
On Monday, Desisa, a 25-year-old Ethiopian, won the men’s elite race in Boston again, pulling away from an uncommonly large pack of contenders in the last few miles for a commanding victory in 2 hours 9 minutes 17 seconds.
“This medal,” he said, grinning beneath his victor’s wreath, “is mine to keep.