A native Eritrean who came to the United States at the age of 12 to escape war and poverty, Keflezighi reacted to the bombings in the same way as many others in his adopted homeland: Not just the families of the four who died or the 260 others who were wounded, but the people of Boston and runners around the world who were stunned by the attacks on the world's most prestigious road race. [...] when the ballclub placed its trophy — with a "Boston Strong" jersey draped over it — on the marathon finish line during the victory parade, Keflezighi had an idea. At 38, five years removed from his New York Marathon victory and a decade since his Olympic silver medal, Keflezighi was an unlikely candidate to win the race. [...] drawing energy from the unprecedented crowds, Keflezighi raced past the sites of the explosions on Boylston Street to break the tape in a personal best time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 37 seconds. [...] Keflezighi received a congratulatory call from President Barack Obama and was invited to the White House for dinner.