In the midst of an ordinary training day, I try to remind myself that I am preparing for the extraordinary. -Shalane Flanagan
The old man was exhausted from watching the Women’s Olympic Marathon.
Rio ’16 reminded him of Boston ’73. Hot. Important.
And Americans are in the mix. Sweet. So sweet. Thank you, ladies.
He knew he wasn’t as tough as Desiree. Not as tough as Amy.
And then there’s Shalane. “I did everything I could.”
Yes, you did, girl. Yes, you did.
The old man raised a glass.
| Rank | Name | Nationality/region | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jemima Sumgong |  Kenya | 2:24:04 | |
 | Eunice Kirwa |  Bahrain | 2:24:13 | |
 | Mare Dibaba |  Ethiopia | 2:24:30 | |
| 4 | Tirfi Tsegaye | Ethiopia | 2:24:47 | |
| 5 | Volha Mazuronak |  Belarus | 2:24:48 | |
| 6 | Shalane Flanagan |  United States | 2:25:26 | SB |
| 7 | Desiree Linden | United States | 2:26:08 | SB |
| 8 | Rose Chelimo | Bahrain | 2:27:36 | |
| 9 | Amy Cragg | United States | 2:28:25 | |
| 10 | Kim Hye-song |  North Korea | 2:28:36 | SB |