Desi Linden wins rainy Boston Marathon, ends 33-year American title drought

HADLEY GREEN/Staff photosShalane Flanagan of Marblehead (left) approaches the finish line en route to finishing seventh in the elite women’s division at the 122nd Boston Marathon Monday.

It gives McFadden five Boston Marathon wins and a record-setting 22 victories in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series.

The prolific marathoner Kawauchi said it best at the post-race press conference.

Earlier in the race, Linden temporarily took herself out of contention to help fellow American Shalane Flanagan, who won the New York City Marathon in November – the first American woman to take that honor in 40 years.

“Early on the race I was feeling disgusting and I nudged her (Shalane Flanagan) and said “I might drop out”. I knew she was in good shape because her workouts were going so well.

But Linden wasn’t the only American woman to win today.

Shalane Flanagan’s detour to the port-a-potty.

After years of trying, Linden said she’s finally gotten her fairytale ending.

She clocked 2:44:27, a time that would have placed 28th at the 2017 Boston Marathon. “It took me an hour to believe she was a girl”. “I was running totally afraid”. Since then, she’s consistently finished among the top Americans and the four fastest times of her 10-year marathon career have come on the streets from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.

Eventually, the pack began to separate itself – and Linden sped ahead of the competition and never looked back. She tried to gauge her lead by the reaction of the crowd.

Organizers say they do this from time to time when the weather is bad or likely to change during the race.

“I definitely used experience to my advantage”. I just kept consistent speed and I’m so, so happy.

“I’m pretty sure the human body has a mileage limit”. “That sprint battle is not super fun”.

She readjusted. The time was no longer the goal.

In a country that values modesty and hard work, Kawauchi’s quiet dedication has garnered widespread admiration. Huddle finished 13th in her Boston debut. This time she made the turn off of Hereford with a lead of more than half of a mile.

She was glad she did on Monday in Boston.

“It hurts right now, but it’s a ideal day for me”, Linden told CBS Boston. “I have the utmost respect for who they are as athletes and as people.”. “It’s storybook. I’m thrilled to be here and to get it done”, Linden said. I’m going to blow up.

The women are constantly supporting one another online. That made me want to be a marathoner.

Her son, John, usually runs the marathons with her.

“For me, it’s the best conditions possible”, Kawauchi said with a wide smile through an interpreter.

BC-ATH-Boston Marathon, 2nd Ld-Writethru, 481 Desi Linden wins Boston Marathon, 1st USA woman since ’85AP Photo BX137, BX133, BX231Eds: Updates with quotes, details.

“I couldn’t help by feel the hand of fate in this”.