After becoming the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983, Meb Keflezighi has attained instant celebrity status. Such superstardom is afforded perks, including friends in the highest of places. At a post-Boston Marathon press conference Tuesday, Meb noted that he was expecting a call from none other than President Barack Obama, which he promptly received later that afternoon.

Mind you, the commander-in-chief doesn’t call just anybody. He reserves those calls for athletic champions and selfless civilians. And given the heartfelt significance of the 2014 race, it’s almost surprising he waited so long to connect.

He did, however, take to the White House Twitter handle to send a personal message to Keflezighi and Shalane Flanagan, who finished seventh overall for the women’s division, yet was the first American woman to cross the Boylston Street finish line.

Keflezighi finished the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:08:37, while the women’s winner, Kenyan Rita Jeptoo, set the course record for women with 2:18:57.

is only beginning. On Wednesday morning, he appeared on the daytime talk show LIVE with Kelly and Michael and, later this afternoon, he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Red Sox game — the second in a three-game series against long-time rival New York Yankees.

Featured image via Sarah Fisher/Daily Free Press

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