(KGTV) - Chula Vista native Desiree Linden fought through inclement weather to win the 2018 Boston Marathon Monday, becoming the first American since 1985 to finish first in the race.
The 34-year-old runner finished the rainy and cold 26.2-mile race in 2:39:54 -- just over four minutes ahead of second-place finisher and fellow American Sarah Sellers.
Linden previously finished second at the Boston Marathon in 2011 and then fourth in 2014. She also had a 7th place marathon finish at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Before Monday’s win, Linden had never won a full marathon race.
Linden's time is the slowest for a women's winner since 1978, according to marathon officials.
Linden is a 2001 graduate of Chula Vista’s Hilltop High School and earned All-American honors while attending Arizona State University.
HISTORY!@des_linden is the first elite American female winner of the Boston Marathon since 1985! 😱 #GoDesi #BostonMarathon pic.twitter.com/LdscEaS5je
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) April 16, 2018
DROUGHT OVER.
Desiree Linden becomes the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. Takes the victory in 2:39:54 pic.twitter.com/GUVomLr8Yn
— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) April 16, 2018
Congratulations to Desiree Davila Linden. Hilltop High Alumni. First American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 Years. AWESOME!!!!! @SUHSD @hilltophighasb @SweetwaterSuper @ourstarnews pic.twitter.com/qUtNrSK2nP
— Sweetwater Athletics (@SUHSDAthletics1) April 16, 2018
San Diego native and fellow Boston Marathon competitor Meb Keflezighi took to Twitter to congratulate Linden following the race.
Congratulations @des_linden! You’ve trained, raced and conducted yourself as a champion for years. Today you won the @BostonMarathon, a race full of champions. Today, the world recognizes you as the champion you’ve always been. You did it and and you did it the right way! pic.twitter.com/NztbsdcSM0
— meb keflezighi (@runmeb) April 16, 2018
