Desiree Linden has declared her intention to take on the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon in a bid to add to her incredible win at the Boston Marathon in April.
The 34-year-old American sprung from the pack to register a surprise victory on Boylston Street in conditions that saw the form book torn to shreds.
"Breaking the tape at this year's Boston Marathon was a lifelong dream come true," Linden said. "At the moment, it felt like it was the culmination of my career, but I believe I still have plenty more to give to the marathon. I'm thrilled to head to the TCS New York City Marathon this fall. I'm motivated to get back on the big stage that NYRR will undoubtedly put together and intend to make a name for myself in another great city."
The TCS New York City Marathon also saw American success in Abbott WMM Series XI.
Shalane Flanagan claimed a famous victory in Central Park last November when she upset the odds to streak home ahead of hot favourite Mary Keitany, ending a 40-year wait for an American women to win in the Big Apple.
Flanagan's win, allied to first place for Galen Rupp in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon just a month earlier and third place the same day for Jordan Hasay, Amy Cragg's third place in Tokyo and Linden's epic achievement in Boston, made for an impressive American effort across the Series XI season.
"New York Road Runners has a great history with Des and we're excited to welcome her back to the TCS New York City Marathon to take on what will be one of our most talented women's open fields in decades," said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for NYRR and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. "Des is the consummate pro, both on and off the roads.Her win in Boston continued to shine the spotlight on an incredibly talented group of elite women in the U.S. and around the world."
Linden has had eight top-five finishes in Abbott World Marathon Majors races in her career. Previously, she has finished at runner-up at the 2010 Chicago and 2011 Boston marathons and fifth-place in Berlin in 2013 and New York in 2014. She was forced to drop out of the London 2012 Olympic Marathon with an injury, but got her redemption four years later in Rio by finishing seventh.
With her 2018 Boston Marathon victory, Linden finished in a four-way tie for seventh place with 25 points in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XI standings. Series XI began at the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon and concluded at the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Series XII will begin at the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon and conclude at the 2019 BMW Berlin Marathon.
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