Kastor Powers Away From Lewy-Boulet and Wins the US Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon
Posted April 20th, 2008 at 10:33 AM by Jimmie R. Markham
Section: News & Results, Marathons
With less than 6 miles to go in the 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, Magdalena Lewy-Boulet couldn’t have any way of knowing this, but Deena Kastor was trying to reel her in. She was now only 70 seconds back. This certainly wasn’t her plan going into the race, but Lewy-Boulet hadn’t left her any options. She had taken the race from the gun and had opened up a gap of almost 2-minutes. Lewy-Boulet had just run a 5:57 mile and was laboring a little. Blake Russell’s form looked a little forced back in third place. She still had several seconds on Desiree Davila. Kastor was 55 seconds ahead of Russell in 2nd place.
At 21 miles, Kastor was only 1:03 behind Lewy-Boulet. Had Lewy-Boulet done enough work to hold off Kastor for the last 5 miles? The lead was now down to 40 seconds. Blake Russell had kept Davila at bay and had now opened her gap on Davila. Lewy-Boulet’s last mile was 5:54. With 3 1/2 miles to go, she was now in danger of being caught by Kastor.
Lewy-Boulet was willing herself on, but she was obviously hurting. Kastor was powering along, looking smooth, steadily eating away at Lewy-Boulet’s lead. She was closing the gap at faster than 20 seconds per mile. It was now just a matter of time before Kastor passed her.
The 23-mile mark was passed in 2:11:31 with Lewy-Boulet still in the lead. Kastor was 9 seconds back and Russell was still in third place. Was Lewy-Boulet now in danger of losing a spot on the Olympic team? Barring disaster, she would make the team. Kastor passed her at 2:14:50 into the race. She was running on the other side of the road, hoping to sneak by and not have Lewy-Boulet draft her. Lewy-Boulet crossed the road, though, and valiantly tried to keep pace with Kastor. It was not to be, however, and Kastor pulled right away from Lewy-Boulet.
Kastor looked powerful and expanded her lead with every stride. It was now Kastor in first, Lewy-Boulet in 2nd and Russell in 3rd. Tera Moody had passed Davila and was 50 seconds behind Russell. That looked like the likely finish order. Kastor had run her last mile in 5:36, the same pace Lewy-Boulet had run for most of he race.
Kastor now had a 24 second lead on Lewy-Boulet. She ran mile 25 in 5:35. She was smiling and looking fresh. She looked back one last time to make sure the race was hers. Mile 26 was passed in 2:28:24 and she picked up an American flag to run the last 385 yards. In the final yards, she began waving the flag and blowing kisses to the crowd. Unofficially, Deena Kastor crossed the line in 2:29:34. Lewy-Boulet was still in second. She powered to the finish in 2:30:18, a personal record. Turning onto Boyleston Street, Blake Russell was in third place and had a 30 second lead over . She had withstood numerous challenges and would make the team. Kastor and Lewy-Boulet were waiting for her at the finish line, pumping their fists for Russell. Kastor gave her a high five and Lewy-Boulet hugged her. Zoila Gomez finished 4th and became the alternate for the US Women’s Olympic Marathon team. Tera Moody had the race of her life, smashing her PR by 12 minuted and 46 seconds to finish 5th in 2:33:54. Dot McMahan, back in 8th place, also had a great race and set a new PR by a whopping 8 minutes and 25 seconds.
Here are the top 10 women at the 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials and their times:
1. Deena Kastor, 2:29:35 (Beijing Olympian)
2. Magdalena Lewy Boulet , 2:30:19 (Beijing Olympian)
3. Blake Russell, 2:32:40 (Beijing Olympian)
4. Zoila Gomez, 2:33:53 (Beijing Olympics Alternate)
5. Tera Moody, 2:33:54
6. Turena Johnson Lane, 2:34:17
7. Ann Alyanak, 2:34:46
8. Dot McMahan, 2:35:02
9. Robyn Friedman, 2:35:02
10. Erin Moeller, 2:36:51
For more news, analysis, interviews, videos, and results from the 2008 Boston Marathon and USA Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, please visit: http://boston.thefinalsprint.com/
In addition, check out the official blog of women’s marathon favorite Kate O’Neill at: http://kateoneill.thefinalsprint.com/
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: 2008 U.S. Olympic women’s marathon trials, 2008 USA Olympic women’s marathon trials, Beijing, blake russell, deena kastor, entry list, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, marathon, marathonguide.com, Olympic Trials, Olympicwomensmarathontrials2008, Olympicwomensmarathontrials2008news, US Olympic Trials, usa Olympic team trials – women’s marathon
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
The Final Sprint
[…] Kastor Powers Away From Lewy-Boulet and Wins the Women’s Olympic … With less than 6 miles to go in the 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, Magdalena Lewy-Boulet couldn’t have any way of knowing this, but Deena Kastor was trying to reel her in. She was now only 70 seconds back. … credit : http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2008/04/kastor-powers-away-from-lewy-boulet-and-wins-the-womens-olympic-trials-marathon/ […]
April 20th, 2008 at 12:55 pm