No American woman has been able to win the New York City Marathon since 1977. At least not since Sunday, November 5, when Shalane Flanagan passed Kenyan runner Mary Jepkosgei Keitany and captured the win. With three miles left, Flanagan was able to pull away from Keitany, finishing the race alone with a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 53 seconds- about a minute faster than Keitany’s time. The last American woman to win the NYC Marathon was Miki Gorman, winning a consecutive title in both 1976 and 1977.
Flanagan competed in her first NYC Marathon in 2010 where she placed second. She had not participated in any of the NYC Marathon’s since 2010, and a fracture in her lower back caused Flanagan to be unable to race in the Boston Marathon. According to CBS News, Flanagan deemed Keitany as “the alpha runner” and was ready to “suffer dearly” keeping up with the Kenyan runner. CBS also reported Flanagan stating she may retire if she won New York. 2.5 million spectators watched Flanagan cross the finish line and break the banner, ending the drought of American female champions.
Flanagan holds the American record times in the 3000 meters (indoor), 5000 m (indoor) and 15K road race. She won the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics in the 10,000 m (since upgraded to silver) and the bronze medal at the 2011 International Association of Athletics Federations World Cross Country Championships. Flanagan has also won the Women's 2017 NYC Marathon, the first American woman to do so since 1977. Flanagan’s win against over 50,000 other professional runners is one she takes much pride in.
Flanagan took to Instagram to post pictures of one of her teammates, Emily Infeld, and her coaches Jerry Schumacher and Pascal Dobert, to thank them.
“It takes a village to make a dream a reality. Thank you to my @bowermantc teammates and coaches Jerry and Pascal,” wrote Flanagan, accompanied by three heart emojis. The excitement spread all across the country, including the Newtown High School girls cross country team.
“Girls turn on ESPN 2. Shalane Flanagan is leading the NYC marathon!”The NHS girls cross country coach, Rich Marcello tweeted from @NHSgirlsXCtrack at 11:37 AM on the day of the race. Marcello then tweeted 16 minutes later, “FLANAGAN DID IT! FIRST AMERICAN FEMALE TO WIN NYC MARATHON IN 40 YEARS!!! @ShalaneFlanagan #USA #TCSNYCMarathon.” Marcello’s athletes were as excited as their coach about Flanagan’s victory.
“I think that it was an amazing feat for her to have won the marathon. Being the first woman to hold this title [in 40 years] she empowered women across the country and encouraged them to run. As a runner myself it’s important for young girls to have a role model like her,” NHS senior and cross country runner Jackie O’Leary said.
O’Leary shared the same enthusiasm as many of her teammates, her coach, and millions of Americans across the country. Flanagan, along with the fans cheering her on, felt a great deal of pride for our country on November 5.
“I think that her winning has a positive impact because she showed the world that women can win titles just like men can and she has encouraged girls to pursue running,” O’Leary said.
Flanagan’s win has inspired people all across the country, as a runner, or just someone who had a dream and worked hard to make it come true. Flanagan has achieved her version of the “American Dream,” all it takes is making the best effort you can, having determination, and a goal set. With these in place Flanagan was able to achieve her dream, and has inspired millions to do exactly the same.
Image Courtesy of WABC-TV