Fractured Back Keeps Marathon Great From Challenge for Beantown Title

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

Four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan has withdrawn from the 2017 Boston Marathon due to a fracture in her back, the Boston Marathon announced Tuesday.

Flanagan, 35, had been scheduled to compete in the Marugame Half Marathon in early February, running alongside Bowerman Track Club teammate Amy Cragg, but did not start the race. Originally announced as one of five 2016 U.S. Olympic marathon team members set to compete in the race, Flanagan will have to wait another year to test her talent over the hills of Boston once again. 

The Massachusetts native has competed in the Boston Marathon three times, finishing fourth (2013), sixth (2014) and ninth (2015), respectively. Coming off of a sixth-place showing in the marathon at the Rio Olympics last summer, Flanagan had not raced since.