NYC Marathon Winner Shalane Flanagan To Return for Marblehead 5k

MARBLEHEAD - Only a few weeks after becoming the first American woman to win the NYC Marathon in 40 years, Olympic silver medalist and Marblehead native Shalane Flanagan will be returning to her hometown for the 2017 Back the Track 5k.

As part of the 2017 Marblehead Race Series, a variety of races that take place around town between May and November, Back the Track will be held on Saturday, Nov. 27. You can register for the race here.

Flanagan won the Women's New York City Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, 53 seconds. With 3 miles to go, she pulled ahead of 3-time defending champion Mary Keitany of Kenya.

It was Flanagan's first win in a major marathon and the first win by an American woman at the NYC Marathon in 40 years since Miki Gorman won in 1977.

This past spring, Flanagan said she was excited to particulate in the 2017 Marblehead Road Race Series

"Running was so important to me as I was growing up in Marblehead. It’s wonderful that running is gaining more visibility as a healthy activity and competitive sport," she said in a release from the Marblehead Track Association. "I’m honored to help encourage the growth of running in Marblehead. I’m looking forward to coming back for the Back the Track in November."

Back the Track organizer Doug Williams said he’s heard from a few residents who have said Flanagan should have a parade in her honor, but said the race is even better.

“We’ve had this planned in advance a month ago,” he said. “And it’s even better than a parade. Instead of standing along the route you can run the parade route with Shalane.”

Williams said the 5k drew about 1,200 residents during the inaugural year in 2014. This year he’s hoping to equal or exceed that number.

Shalane Flanagan at the Back the Track 5k Kids Run in Marblehead in 2014. Courtesy Photo / MTA

The Back the Track event also includes a two mile walk and one mile kids’ run for those 12 and under at the Marblehead Community Center. You can register for the race here.

Williams said the Shalane Flanagan High School Team Challenge will continue the tradition of pitting teams of 3 boys or 3 girls against each other. The top boys and girls team will have bragging rights for the year and take possession of the Flanagan Cup, a traveling trophy that will be held by the victorious team until next year’s race.

“We were fortunate to have Shalane here when we launched the event and we’re looking forward to having her back,” Williams said. “We were already looking forward to having her back but now with the NYC win, it’s that much more special.”

Williams said there’s a long history of running in Marblehead and he and the rest of the Marblehead Track Association see runners of all ages active in the community.

Bill Park, who organized the Miles for Mary in October, one of the races in the Series said he was proud of Flanagan’s most recent accomplishment.

“She’s an incredible runner and she’s got a great family here,” Park said. “It’s just great to see.”

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Shalane Flanagan of the United States celebrates winning the Professional Women's Division during the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon in Central Park on November 5, 2017 in New York City.