BOSTON—Arizona State track and field’s and cross country’s two-time All-American, Desiree Linden (Davila) was the fastest American finisher at the 2015 Boston Marathon on Monday, finishing in fourth at 2:25:39.
Including Linden, just four American runners finished in the top-15 in this year’s race.
“I came into the office early to watch the race today, and with about seven minutes to go, she was right there in that front group,” distance coach Louie Quintana said. “I thought she fought really well, and it was awesome, super exciting to see her back in form. I know the last couple years have really been a struggle for her with injuries, so we’re all really happy for her and how well she did today.”
As a Sun Devil, Linden earned her All-America honors in 2003, one in cross country and the other in the indoor 5000m run. She was a three-time All-West-Region honoree in cross country, and earned All-Pac-10 honors in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Linden, who currently resides in Michigan, ran three minutes off her personal best marathon time, which she ran in Boston in 2011 at 2:22:38.
Kenya’s Carolina Rotich won the 2015 Boston Marathon in 2:24:55.
“This sets her up well, going into the Olympic year to be healthy, have a great performance, and potentially make her second Olympic team,” Quintana added.
Linden is a 2012 Olympian and one of the contenders to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.