Shalane Flanagan
Shalane Flanagan is one of the most recognizable names in US distance running. Her Silver Medal at the 2008 Olympics in the 10,000m and her win at the 2017 New York City Marathon cemented her place in history.
All journeys start somewhere, and that incredible career started here in Massachusetts, at Marblehead High School.
Shalane was a three-time Cross Country State Champion, capturing the title in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The title in 1997 may have been her most impressive victory as she battled not only snowy conditions but was also the underdog going into the race.
As a sophomore she finished third in the Eastern Mass Girls Division 3 race at Franklin Park in an impressive 18:52. Shalane would return the following week to face the same girls that beat her, yet this time on a very different Franklin Park Course.
The familiar grassy fields and rocky terrain were nowhere in sight. Instead, they raced over snow and muddy holes. Shalane would triumph in a gritty 19:41, in what would be the arrival of one of the greatest runners in US History.
Shalane would win again the following year at Gardener Golf Course covering the 2.9 Mille Course in a still standing record of 16:02. (The Course has since changed to 5K) Like most of the talented runners from the Baystate, her senior year would prove to be her swan song.
At the 1999 Eastern Mass Championships, Shalane would set another still standing record over the 5K Franklin Park Course in 17:08. For reference, the winning time at the 2023 Foot Locker Northeast Championships on the same course was 17:12. The Baystate’s own Ellie Shea ran 17:20.
She would cap the season off with another still standing (see a pattern here?) record at Northfield Mountain in 17:54.7. At the completion of her senior season, Shalane held all three Massachusetts State Meet Course Records. With courses changing as well as the venues that hold these meets, it’s hard to appreciate and put in perspective what she was able to accomplish. With the All State meet changing venues every year, it would typically require at least two years of competing at an incredibly high level so that the runner could hit all three courses at the peak of their season.
Looking back, it’s easy to say Shalane’s Future success was all but guaranteed, but the truth is the list of runners that triumph at all three levels, high school, college, and professional, is actually rather slim.
Before joining the ranks of the pros as a Nike Athlete, Shalane took her talents to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a Tar Heel she won three individual National titles: Two XC and a 3000m Title indoors.
What is she up to now? Like our last legend, Shalane is now a coach. She works as an Assistant Distance and Cross-Country Coach at the University of Oregon alongside her own former coach, Jerry Schumacher.
Be on the lookout for both Andy and Shalane this fall as they help guide their teams.
