2013 Boston Marathon - The Women

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2013 Boston Marathon - The Women

Sharon Cherop | Mamitu Daska | Rita Jeptoo | Kara Goucher | Shalane Flanagan

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Can Cherop Repeat?

Sharon Cherop
Country: Kenya
PB: 2:22:39, 2012 Dubai Marathon

Sharon Cherop returns to Boston, looking to defend her 2012 title and add to her list of top-flight performances at the world's top marathons.

Cherop finished second at her debut half marathon in Nairobi (73:57). Over the next 8 years she has only 1 non-top ten performance at either the full or half marathon (RAK Half Marathon, 2013: 69:04). 2007 saw Cherop return show additional promise on the half marathon circuit. She was sixth at both Lisbon (71:27) and Virginia Beach (72:24). Those finishes were sandwiched around her win at Parkersburg WV (72:26). In September 2007, she completed the Philadelphia Half Marathon in 70:21, good for fourth place. Those four finishes led to her marathon debut at the 2007 Twin Cities Marathon, where she finished third in 2:38:45.

Cherop kept at the full marathon distance for the next three years. She was fourth at the 2008 Country Music Marathon in Nashville TN (2:39:52) and third at Nairobi (2:33:53) in 2009. Building on that experience, Cherop used 2010 to show what she can do. She won at Hamburg and the Toronto Waterfront Marathons in 2:28:38 and 2:22:43 respectively. 2011 proved almost as kind, with additional top finishes. April 2011 marked her Boston Marathon debut, where she finished a strong third in 2:22:42 behind Caroline Kilel (2:22:36) and American Desiree Davila (2:22:38). Later in 2011, Cherop returend to New Delhi (she had a disappointing 8th-place finish in 2011), to finish second in 67:08.

Cherop continued her string of strong finishes as she claimed seventh at the 2012 Dubai Marathon, in a personal best (2:22:39). She then returned to Boston and braved the heat and elite roster, to win the 2012 Boston Marathon with a strong, smart race against the elements (2:31:50). She would then finish 2012 with another set of wins: Philadelphia Half Marathon (67:21) and Turin Marathon (2:23:57) after the disappointment of the canceled 2012 NYC Marathon.

Why? Despite a disappointing 11th place finish at the 2013 RAK Half Marathon (69:04), Cherop has shown she can win in both ideal and not-so-ideal conditions. Her wins at Toronto Waterfront, Hamburg, Turin, and of course Boston 2012, indicate she looks to possibly make it two in a row.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Daska at 2013 Houston Marathon

Mamitu Daska
Country: Ethiopia
PB: 2:21:59, 2011 Frankfurt Marathon

Having conquered some of the world's most elite marathons, Mamitu Daska looks to add her Boston debut to her list of accomplishments.

Daska's early career consists of accolades at the shorter distances -- specifically a pair of team silver medals at the World Cross Country championship. She was also able to add the half marathon in 2006, winning at Santa Pola (74:54), finishing second at Orihuela (77:41) and fifth at Granollers (76:51). She found found additional success, winning the 2008 & 2010 Bolder Boulder and the 2008 Falmouth Road Race.

Those successes not withstanding, 2009 really marked Daska's elevation onto the world stage, as she toed the lines at some of the world's largest full and half marathons. In August 2009, Daska made a push for the New York City Half Marathon title, eventually finishing second in 71:04. The following month, Daska made her marathon debut -- a third place finish at Berlin (2:26:38).

Daska would then go on to win 3 of her 4 next marathon starts -- 2010 Dubai (2:24:18), 2011 Houston (2:26:33), and 2011 Frankfurt (2:21:59, a personal best) -- putting her near the top of everyone's elite female marathoner list.

2012 saw Daska returning to both Dubai and Frankfurt to defend her titles. Despite cutting two minutes off her winning performance at Dubai in 2011, Daska finished ninth in 2:24:24 -- showing just elite that roster was. She would then go on to finish third at Frankfurt in 2:23:52.

Most recently, Daska returned to her winning ways, breaking the tape at a very rainy 2013 Houston Half Marathon (69:53).

Why? Despite this being her Boston debut, Daska is a proven winner and holds a sub-2:20 personal best (2:21:59, 2011 Frankfurt). Amongst this particular field, she's only finished behind Sharon Cherop (2012 Dubai).

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - A Former Boston Champ Returns

Rita Jeptoo
Country: Kenya
PB:2:22:04, 2012 Chicago Marathon

Anytime a former champion returns to Boston, people take note. After recording success at the 5000m (wins Lana and Pergine Valsugana in 2001 & 2002), the 10K (Jakarta and Cardiff in 2006 & 2008), and the half marathon (wins at Ravenna, 2001; Merano, 2003; Naples, 2004, Rio de Janeiro, 2004), Jeptoo moved up oto the marathon and made a splash.

By winning her first two marathons in 2004 -- Stockholm (2:35:14) and Milan (2:28:11) -- Jeptoo proved herself as a elite runner, willing to take on challenges. 2006 saw Jeptoo win the Paris Half Marathon (69:56), then turn around the following month to capture the 2006 Boston Marathon title in her debut at the event -- beating Jelena Prokopcuka by ten seconds (2:23:38).

In 2007, Jeptoo continued her success at both distances. She won at Lisbon (67:08) and returned to Boston to take fourth in 2:33:08. 2008 marked another strong year for Jeptoo as she successfully defended her title at Lisbon (69:48), finished third at Boston (2:26:34) and fourth at New York City (2:27:49).

2009-2010 saw Jeptoo take time off for maternity. She announced her return in 2011 by finishing fifth at both Rotterdam (2:28:09) and Frankfurt (2:25:44), and winning at Eldoret (2:36:15). Most recently, she finished just a second behind Atsede Baysa for the 2012 Chicago Marathon title (2:22:04, a personal best), and ran the 11th fastest half marathon of all-time at the recent 2013 RAK Half (66:27)

Why? Jeptoo's familiar with the course and pressure of Boston. Her resume includes 4 top-six finishes at Boston, including her win in 2006. She's an experienced competitor and has set personal bests the last two times out in the half and full marathon.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Goucher at the 2013 RnR New Orleans Half Marathon

Kara Goucher
Country: USA
PB: 2:24:52, 2011 Boston Marathon

As one of the most accomplished female American distance runners Kara Goucher is always one to keep an eye on. With a pair of top-5 finishes at Boston (2009 & 2011) and a third-place finish at NYC (2008), and coming off an 11th-place finish at the 2012 London Olympic Marathon, Goucher has earned that distinction.

Like her friend and training partner Shalane Flanagan, Goucher has seen success at all levels and distances. Goucher secured a bronze medal in the 10000m at the 2007 World Championships in the, then won the 2008 US Olympic 5000m Trials. She was also second (to Flanagan) in the 10000m. In addition, she won the 2007 Great North Run (66:57). In Beijing, Goucher raced to respectable finishes in both the 10000m (tenth place: 30:55.16, a personal best) and the 5000m (ninth: 15:49.39).

Later that fall, Goucher moved up to the marathon. She made a memorable debut at NYC, taking third in 2:25:53. The following spring continued Goucher's success. She won at Lisbon in the half marathon (68:30), then returned to the full marathon for the 2009 Boston Marathon. Many were looking to her become the first American winner in years. Although she secured another third place finish in a major marathon, her time of 2:32:25 came as a disappointment.

August 2009 proved to be an important time for Goucher. She shook the disappointment of Boston to win the 2009 Chicago Half Marathon (68:05) and finished ninth at Berlin in the World Championships (2:27:48).

In 2010 Goucher took time off to have a child. Goucher has seen success since returning from her time away. In January 2011, she finished second in the half marathon at Tempe AZ (74:02) and third at the NYC Half Marathon (69:03). The stage was thus set for Goucher to make a run at the 2011 Boston Marathon title once again. Although she came up short, finishing fifth, her time of 2:24:52 was a notable improvement on her 2009 trip to Boston. The personal best indicated Goucher had put herself in great company after being out of competition during her materntiy leave.

Goucher started 2012 with Goucher finishing third at the US Olympic Marathon trials (2:26:06), earning her second Olympic berth. She then followed up with another third place showing at the New York City Half Marathon (69:12), and subsequent wins at Portland and the 2012 Half Marathon championship in Duluth MN (69:46). Goucher would then go on to finish 11th at the 2012 London Olympic Marathon (2:26:07). Most recently, she finished fifth at the February 2013 New Orleans Half Marathon (71:49).

Why? Boston holds her personal best (2011, 2:24:52). She's also shown herself able to bounce back from disappointing finishes.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - The New England Native Returns

Shalane Flanagan
Country: USA
PB: 2:25:38, 2012 USA Olympic Marathon Trials (Houston)

Shalane Flanagan has become synonymous with distance running dominance. Not only is she the offspring of former female world record holder Cheryl Treworgy and cross-country competitor and 2:18-marathoner Steve Flanagan, she's a three-time Olympian and holds numerous records across various distances herself.

In 2007 Flanagan set an American record in the 3000m at the Boston Reebok Indoor Games (8:33.25) as she finished in second place. The following summer at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, Flanagan finished 10th in the 5000m (15:15.80) and third in the 10000m (30:22.22), setting an American record and earning a bronze medal. 2009 saw Flanagan set another American record, this time in the 5000m at the Boston Reebok Indoor Games.

Not content with those honors, Flanagan made the move up to the half marathon distance, winning the 2010 USA Half Marathon Championships (69:41) in her debut. Using that showing as a barometer, Flanagan entered the 2010 New York City Marathon. With all eyes on her to push for an American victory, Flanagan very much held her own and finished second in 2:28:40.

Flanagan had an exemplary 2011. She won the 8K USA Cross Country championship as well as the 10000m USA title. That was followed up with a bronze at 2011 World Cross Country Championships (25:10). Shalane then finished 2011 with a set of half-marathon wins (Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio: 70:49 and Miami Beach: 69:58, the fastest half marathon run by an American in 2011). Flanagan transitioned once again to the marathon as she won the 2012 US Olympic Olympic Team Trials in 2:25:38. She went on to finish tenth at the 2012 London Olympic Marathon (2:26:07).

Why? Flanagan has been a dominant competitor at every level and distance. After winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon last January (2:25:38) in a course record, and finishing tenth at the 2012 London Olymic Games (2:26:07), Flanagan has shown she has what it takes amongst the elite marathon women. In addition, Flanagan is a Massachusetts native and has indicated its been a life-long dream to compete at Boston.