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Lewy-Boulet Maintains Huge Lead, Kastor Breaks Away From Pack

Posted April 20th, 2008 at 9:03 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons

US Olympic Trials - Women's Marathon Ten miles into the 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials in Boston, the temperature was now 51°F. Magdalena Lewy-Boulet had just passed the hairpin turn again, so she was able get a good look at the trail pack. She looked down at her watch to check her time, maybe in disbelief that she had a minute and a half on Deena Kastor and was in first place, on pace for a 2:29:38 marathon.

Through 11 miles, which was passed in 1:02:46 (2:29:36 marathon pace) Lewy-Boulet had increased her gap to 1:40. She was on her way to a $50,000 pay day, which is the prize for the winner of the 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials. In addition, she would get a $10,000 stipend from the USOC to travel to Beijing. That, of course, was her primary goal and she was well on her way and having the race of her life. She has run her last mile in 5:32, on pace to a 2:29:14 marathon.

Deena Kastor, Blake Russell, Kate O’Neill, Mary Akor, Elva Dryer, Desiree Ficker, Melissa White and Zoila Gomez were among the runners in the trail pack, 1:50 back. Lewy-Boulet was using the tail wind to her advantage. With what looked like only two spots remaining for the Olympics, nobody in the trail pack was willing to try and close the gap and become the sacrificial rabbit. Kastor was still leading the trail pack, so she was still in a good position to make the team. Kate O’Neill was tucked in right behind her.

Lewy-Boulet passed the halfway mark in 1:14:37, a 2:29:14 pace. The trail pack, 1:50 behind her, still consisted of 12 women. By now, Lewy-Boulet was out of view. Blake Russell, Deena Kastor and Mary Akor made a small break from the main pack. Kate O’Neill led the 2nd pack and managed to close the gap quickly. There now seemed to be a sense of urgency among these runners.

By mile 14, Lewy-Boulet had increased her lead to 1:54. Blake Russell was leading the trail pack, with Mary Akor and Deena Kastor on her shoulder. The trail pack seemed resigned to running for spots 2 and 3. Kastor then took her turn at the lead. Akor and Russell went with her. By now, they had put a decisive 30-yard gap on the main pack. Kastor was now putting the hammer down. Akor and Russell were struggling to maintain pace and finally let Kastor go. She quickly opened a 30-yard gap.

The story of the day, though, was a couple of minutes ahead of them. Lewy-Boulet was still looking strong and had a lead of 1:52. Would Kastor be able to catch her? At this point, it didn’t look likely.