Athletics-Six marathons, six weeks: Former New York champ Flanagan closes another marathon chapter

By Amy Tennery

NEW YORK (Reuters) - For some, retirement is a time for relaxation. For 2017 New York City Marathon champion Shalane Flanagan, running six marathons in six weeks has proven a more appealing post-career project.

The four-time Olympian, 40, started her mission with the Berlin Marathon in September and is ending the journey at the New York City Marathon on Sunday, a project she told Reuters rekindled her joy for running two years since she quit professional competition.

"I needed a goal again after a year of not running and reconstructive knee surgery - and post-pandemic and retirement, I just felt like I wanted to reclaim my mental health and physical health and celebrate running," said Flanagan, who picked up Olympic silver in the 10,000-metre race in 2008.

With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing the London Marathon and Boston Marathon from their usual April dates to October, she decided to seize on the rare opportunity to run the prestigious World Marathon Majors within a month-and-a-half stretch.

She substituted the postponed Tokyo Marathon with a 26.2-mile run in Portland, Oregon, last month, and endured a grueling "double-header," with Chicago and Boston on back-to-back days.

"This is just my idea of fun - I need something to be a little bit challenging to be fun to me," said Flanagan. "It's not everyone’s cup of tea but it is mine."

The Nike athlete has posted times that would make any non-pro swoon, completing the London Marathon in 2:35:04, with her slowest time so far - 2:46:39 - in Chicago.

"It feels like weirdly a little emotional... the completion of this project, and then being back in a place that I had some of my best career highlights here," said Flanagan, who also finished second and third in New York in 2010 and 2018, respectively.

"Obviously a different experience on Sunday but I'm very excited to be here."

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis)

FILE PHOTO: Athletics - New York City Marathon - New York City, New York, U.S. - November 4, 2018 Second placed Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya, first placed Mary Keitany of Kenya and third placed Shalane Flanagan of the U.S. celebrate after the Professional Women's race REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Winner of the 2017 New York City Marathon Women's race Shalane Flanagan of the U.S. blows a kiss to people in New York City, in New York, U.S. November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Athletics - New York City Marathon - New York, New York, United States - November 3, 2019 General view of race participants in action on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the marathon REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

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