In the face of inclement weather, including below-freezing wind chills, two-time Olympian Desiree Linden became the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. On Monday, Linden broke the tape at the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes, 54 seconds.
In 2011, Linden finished a scant two seconds away from winning the Patriots Day race. The last American to win the marathon was Lisa Larden Weidenbach in 1985.
Over the years, the 34-year-old Linden finished more than 14 minutes faster than her current win. But race conditions made this year’s competition a bit slower. Thanks to mother nature, 2018 conditions were not conducive to personal- or course-record performances. Linden’s time was the slowest for a women’s winner since 1978.
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Second place was also nabbed by an American. Sarah Sellers finished 4 minutes and 10 seconds behind Linden.
The men’s race winner was Japanese amateur Yuki Kawauchi with a time of 2:15:58. The Boston Marathon marks his first major win.
The humble winner, who works as an administrator in a high school’s office, thanked the sparse Boston crowd for their support. He says he intends to continue his school position, but there is no doubt Monday’s win will bring him a certain degree of fame.
