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Deena Kastor, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., wins the U.S. women's Olympic marathon trials, Sunday, April 20, 2008, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) |
Joan Samuelson finishes final marathon
BOSTON—Joan Benoit Samuelson broke the 2:50 mark in her final competitive marathon Sunday in the women's U.S. Olympics marathon trial in Boston.
Crossing the finish line with a Boston Red Sox cap on her head, Benoit came in 90th place in a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 8 seconds. After the race, she said her goal was to finish in under 3 hours.
The 50-year-old Samuelson, who lives in Freeport, Maine, was the oldest runner in the race. Samuelson won the gold medal in the inaugural women's Olympics marathon in 1984 and has said Sunday's race would be her final competitive marathon.
Deena Kastor won the race in a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 35 seconds. She will be joined by Lewy Boulet and Blake Russell on the U.S. team that competes in Beijing in August.
The top finisher from Maine in the trials was Sheri Piers of Falmouth, who came in 16th in a time of 2 hours, 38 minutes and 46 seconds.
Emily Levan of Wiscasset came in 67th, while Kristin Barry of Scarborough cross the finish line in 73rd place.
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