Boston Marathon 2018 Winners, Results: Desi Linden Raises US Flag

BOSTON, MA — Seven years ago, Desi Linden finished second at the Boston Marathon. This year, she didn't even think she'd finish when she stopped to lend a local favorite a hand after a bathroom break.

Not only did Linden finish - she cruised alone across Boylston Street finish line. The 2018 Boston Marathon elite women's title was hers, and no amount of rain could wash it away.

Linden, who lives in Michigan, braved freezing downpours, heavy winds, and the aforementioned slight delay to become the first American woman to win Boston in more than three decades. She embraced family and friends amidst cheers after crossing the finish line. Her official time was 2 hours 39 minutes 54 seconds.

Linden is the first American to win in 33 years. Her winning time was the slowest in 40 years - a trend that stretched across the divisions as runners worked through sheets.

"My hands were freezing, and there are times where you were just stood up by the wind," Linden said. "It was comical how slow you were going, and how far you still had to go."

Linden's time could have been about 14 seconds quicker, but she helped fellow American Shalene Flanagan get back to the pack after Flanagan peeled off into a port-a-potty during the race. Flanagan, a Marblehead, Mass. native, recently became the first American woman in 40 years to win the New York Marathon.

"At Mile 2, 3, 4 I didn't feel like I was gonna even make it to the finish line," Linden said after the race. "I told [Flanagan] during the race 'if there's anything I can do to help you out let me know because I might just drop out.' When you work together you never know what's gonna happen. Helping her helped me and I kind of got my legs back from there."

American Sarah Sellers, who the Boston Globe reported was running in just her second marathon, finished second with a time of 2:44:05. Flanagan was sixth with a time of 2:46:31. All six of the top spots in the elite women's race belonged to Americans. Check out the top finishers and live results below.

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In the men's race, Yuki Kawauchi of Japan rode a late surge to the gold medal with a time of 2:15:58, the slowest winning time since 1976. Kawauchi is the first Japanese man to win Boston since 1987.

Kenya's Geoffrey Kirui finished second at 2:18:23, and American Shadrack Biwott was third at 2:18:57.

Wilmington native and Peabody resident Dan Vassallo was 10th at 2:27:50.

The winners of the men's and women's wheelchair races in the 2018 Boston Marathon also made history - sort of. Their names should be familiar, but you might do a double-take at their times.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the men's wheelchair race with an unofficial time of 1:46:25. This is Hug's fourth straight victory in Boston, and certainly his slowest. In fact, it's the slowest winning time for the race since 1987. Hug pulled away from former winner Ernst Van Dyk around Heartbreak Hill.

American Tatyana McFadden followed with her fifth Boston win. McFadden, who lives in Maryland and was born in Russia, won the women's race in 1:59:30, the slowest winning time in 30 years.

The times are due largely in part to soggy conditions that include more persistent downpours in the forecast. Hard rains, intense winds, and a uncomfortable wind chills are making for a treacherous, challenging run Monday.

"It was just tough, it was so freezing," Hug said.

>>>Read about the people who braved the conditions to cheer on the runners here

This year featured the 122d edition of the historic race. But the conditions offered a dangerous twist. The rain, wind, and cold were so bad that the Red Sox postponed their annual morning Patriots Day game for the first time since 1984. It's been tradition for fans to pour out of Fenway Park and take the short walk to the Boylston Street finish line, just when many will be crossing.

The elite runners - the very best of the best contending for first place - had extra bibs in case they need to shed wet layers along the 26.2-mile course.

Because of the conditions, there was a different kind of response at the medical tent, which often sees runners seeking refuge from the heat and to get rehydrated.

Bookmark this page for more live results throughout the race. Subscribe to Boston Patch for more Hub news moving forward, or find your local Patch and sign up for free newsletters and real-time alerts.

Men's race (elite)

1. Yuki Kawauchi, Japan, 2:15:58
2. Geoffrey Kirui, Kenya, 2:18:23
3. Shadrack Biwott, United States, 2:18:35
4. Tyler Pennel, United States, 2:18:57
5. Andrew Bumbalough, United States, 2:19:52
6. Scott Smith, United States, 2:21:47
7. Abdi Nageeye, Netherlands, 2:23:16

Women's race (elite)

1. Desiree Linden, United States, 2:39:54
2. Sarah Sellers, United States, 2:44:04
3. Krista Duchene, Ontario, Canada 2:44:20
4. Rachel Hyland, United States, 2:44:29
5. Jessica Chichester, United States, 2:46:52
6. Nicole Dimercurio, United States, 2:45:52
7. Shalene Flanagan, United States, 2:46:31

Keeping track

The best place to keep track of the leaderboard is here, at the BAA website. The best spot for live results is also at the BAA website. If you are looking to live stream or watch the 2018 Boston Marathon on TV, click that link.

Want to keep up with a friend or your favorite runner? There's a way to do that, too. Click here to (virtually) run the race with them - just know their bib number.

Here are the times the runner took off - or in some cases will take off - today:

Mobility Impaired - 8:40 a.m.; Men's Push Rim Wheelchair - 9:02 a.m.; Women's Push Rim Wheelchair - 9:04 a.m.; Handcycles and Duos - 9:25 a.m.; Elite Women - 9:32 a.m.; Elite Men & Wave One - 10:00 a.m.; Wave Two - 10:25 a.m.; Wave Three - 10:50 a.m.; Wave Four - 11:15 a.m.

Desiree Linden approaches the 24-mile marker. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Material from The Associated Press were used in this report