Michigan's Des Linden becomes first American woman to win Boston Marathon in 33 years

For most, running 26 miles is challenging enough. Add freezing rain and 32 mph wind gusts, and the feat of winning the Boston Marathon seems virtually impossible.

But Washington Township, Michigan native Des Linden has managed it, and become the first woman to win the marathon since 1985, when fellow Michigander Lisa Larson Rainsberger scored the coveted honor.

Linden, a two-time Olympian, beat more than 30,000 runners to win the Monday morning race.

Where everybody knows your name... 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/MGEI0VE42f

— des_linden (@des_linden) April 15, 2018

However, this was not the 34-year-old's first attempt at the 26.2-mile race. In 2011, Linden placed second, a mere two seconds behind Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai. She also came in fourth twice, most recently in 2017.

Her unofficial time is 2:39.54.

"I don't have the right words," Linden said after the race. "I'm thrilled."

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