Putting It All on the Line, Linden Earns Her Place at the Top of American Marathon Running at the 119th Boston Marathon

Press Release

SEATTLE – April 20, 2015 – Desiree Linden lit up the Boston Marathon today with a gutsy, race-leading performance that pushed the pace of a powerhouse field and ended in a time of 2 hours, 25 minutes and 39 seconds good for a fourth place, first-American, finish. 

“Today’s race was absolutely incredible,” said Linden. “I left everything I had on that course, and crossing the line first for the U.S. and in the top five is a finish I’m happy with, and a great sign of how my fitness is growing.”

For Linden, a Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project runner, this year’s Boston Marathon was all about making a statement and taking the next step in her marathon career. Mounting a quiet comeback after recovering from the femoral stress fracture that forced her out of the 2012 Olympic Marathon in London, Linden placed 10th at this race last year followed by her fifth place, first-American finish at last fall’s New York City Marathon. Those races and today’s performance place her among the top of the field going into the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2016.

A combination of smart training, quiet confidence and a unique competitive drive amounted to Linden’s top-five finish. Linden led for much of the race into the final miles while a group of Kenyan and Ethiopian women nipped at her heels. Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia threw in several surges as the pack entered the final six miles, which Linden deftly covered. Dibaba, Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba and Kenyan Caroline Rotich ran a blazing 5:07 split at mile 24, which fractured the group and resulted in a win for Rotich.

"Desi has been with us since 2006, and each time she toes the line, we know it's going to be special," said Brooks Sports Marketing Manager Jesse Williams. "She is such a competitor and Boston always brings out the best in her. We are very proud of her run today."

Linden is a member of the Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project, which was created with the purpose of developing American talent through group training to be competitive on a national and international level. Today, it’s one of the largest developmental running teams in the country with a proven track record of success in long distance running.

On its quest to celebrate and champion the sport of running, Brooks continually invests in elite athletes with the goal of inspiring people everywhere to run, and to grow and better the sport of competitive running. The Brooks Booster Club and Inspiring Coach of the Year Award are two additional pieces of the company’s growing stake in all levels of competitive running that celebrate the run. Furthermore, the company contributes to collegiate and high school programs throughout the U.S. and sponsors track and cross country meets like the prestigious Mt. SAC Invite and Relays and its own PR Invitational.