shalane flanagan

Shalane Flanagan was pipped at the post today and seconds away from ending a 33 year losing streak for American women at the New York City marathon. She agonisingly missed top place by the skin of her teeth but second place was still a a proud accomplishment and an historic one.

Flanagan lost to Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat, in a sprint to the finish line today at the New York City Marathon. Still, Flanagan’s second place finish is the best result achieved by an American woman since 1990. According to Babble, if Flanagan would have crossed the line in first, she would have become the first American woman to win since Miki Gorman won in 1977. Shalane Flanagan may not have won, but she is helping to reinvigorate America’s interest in long distance running. Flanagan’s last big race result came in 2008, when she won the bronze in the 10,000 m at the Beijing Olympics. Not too bad for an NYC marathon debut.

So Shalane Flanagan may be deflated at not picking up the top prize but it was still a titanic performance which will be one of her proudest achievements to date.