US Olympic Trials: Women's Marathon

US Women's Marathon Olympic Trials starting line, on Boylston Street, Boston.

2009-10-01T01:02:17Z

Raymond Britt
US Women's Marathon Olympic Trials starting line, on Boylston Street, Boston.

7:28am, Olympic Trials marathon runners emerge from hotel to warm up before the race begins at 8am. Most were smiling with excitement. Note that Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, in sunglasses on the r ...

2009-10-01T01:10:33Z

Raymond Britt
7:28am, Olympic Trials marathon runners emerge from hotel to warm up before the race begins at 8am. Most were smiling with excitement. Note that Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, in sunglasses on the r ...

Clock strikes 8am at the Arlington Street Church. The race is on.

2009-10-01T01:01:16Z

Raymond Britt
Clock strikes 8am at the Arlington Street Church. The race is on.

0.6 Mile: Runners come into view, heading east on Boylston, Arlington Street Church on right.

2009-10-01T01:02:19Z

Raymond Britt
0.6 Mile: Runners come into view, heading east on Boylston, Arlington Street Church on right.

0.7 Mile: To the surprise of almost everyone, a lone runner, #43, has already sprinted out to a lead of 100 meters as the course passes the southwest corner of the Boston Public Garden, on t ...

2009-10-01T01:01:08Z

Raymond Britt
0.7 Mile: To the surprise of almost everyone, a lone runner, #43, has already sprinted out to a lead of 100 meters as the course passes the southwest corner of the Boston Public Garden, on t ...

0.7 Mile: 15 seconds behind #43, nearly the entire field is running as as single pack.

2009-10-01T01:07:19Z

Raymond Britt
0.7 Mile: 15 seconds behind #43, nearly the entire field is running as as single pack.

0.7 Mile: Runners at the front include Deena Kastor (#1, white cap) and Blake Russell (#17, second from right). They do not seem concerned with the early lead by #43.

2009-10-01T01:04:59Z

Raymond Britt
0.7 Mile: Runners at the front include Deena Kastor (#1, white cap) and Blake Russell (#17, second from right). They do not seem concerned with the early lead by #43.

0.8 Mile: The pack continues east toward the Boston Common.

2009-10-01T01:18:38Z

Raymond Britt
0.8 Mile: The pack continues east toward the Boston Common.

Runners follow the course to around the Boston Common, to return on the other side of the Boston Public Garden, which is empty except for the swan boats.

2009-10-01T01:02:27Z

Raymond Britt
Runners follow the course to around the Boston Common, to return on the other side of the Boston Public Garden, which is empty except for the swan boats.

1.8 Mile: Spectators are shocked -- see man in blue, center -- to see #43 increasing her lead. She might be serious. Spectators begin to ask who she is. Scanning the list to the runner with ...

2009-10-01T01:07:15Z

Raymond Britt
1.8 Mile: Spectators are shocked -- see man in blue, center -- to see #43 increasing her lead. She might be serious. Spectators begin to ask who she is. Scanning the list to the runner with ...

1.8 Mile: 21 seconds later, the lead pack of runners drive as one, heading west on Beacon Street.

2009-10-01T01:01:24Z

Raymond Britt
1.8 Mile: 21 seconds later, the lead pack of runners drive as one, heading west on Beacon Street.

1.8 Mile: Lead runners include favorites Elva Dryer (#2), Kastor, Mary Akor (white long-sleeve shirt, in front)

2009-10-01T01:01:20Z

Raymond Britt
1.8 Mile: Lead runners include favorites Elva Dryer (#2), Kastor, Mary Akor (white long-sleeve shirt, in front)

5k: Runners cross the Charles River on the Massachusetts Ave Bridge, heading to Cambridge (right).

2009-10-01T01:02:21Z

Raymond Britt
5k: Runners cross the Charles River on the Massachusetts Ave Bridge, heading to Cambridge (right).

4.3 Miles: Lewy-Boulet runs alone on Memorial Drive

2009-10-01T01:10:47Z

Raymond Britt
4.3 Miles: Lewy-Boulet runs alone on Memorial Drive

4.3 Miles: 52 seconds later, the lead pack arrives.

2009-10-01T01:02:22Z

Raymond Britt
4.3 Miles: 52 seconds later, the lead pack arrives.

4.3 Mile: Akor and Dryer set the pace, while Kastor remains comfortably in the group.

2009-10-01T01:02:29Z

Raymond Britt
4.3 Mile: Akor and Dryer set the pace, while Kastor remains comfortably in the group.

4.3 Mile: the field has begun to break apart into smaller groups.

2009-10-01T01:10:56Z

Raymond Britt
4.3 Mile: the field has begun to break apart into smaller groups.

4.3 Mile: Joan Sameulson, upper right, in yellow, runs strong

2009-10-01T01:01:23Z

Raymond Britt
4.3 Mile: Joan Sameulson, upper right, in yellow, runs strong

Mile 5.3: Lewy-Boulet remains decidedly alone in the lead, returning west on Memorial Drive under Longfellow Bridge

2009-10-01T01:07:17Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 5.3: Lewy-Boulet remains decidedly alone in the lead, returning west on Memorial Drive under Longfellow Bridge

Mile 5.3: Lewy-Boulet's form looks perfect. Reaction on right is typical: wow!

2009-10-01T01:04:49Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 5.3: Lewy-Boulet's form looks perfect. Reaction on right is typical: wow!

Mile 5.3: Leaders running strong, but continuing to lose time, 1:05 behind Lewy-Boulet.

2009-10-01T01:02:24Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 5.3: Leaders running strong, but continuing to lose time, 1:05 behind Lewy-Boulet.

Mile 10: second lap, east-bound on Memorial Drive in Cambridge.

2009-10-01T01:01:19Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 10: second lap, east-bound on Memorial Drive in Cambridge.

Mile 10: no change in form

2009-10-01T01:02:16Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 10: no change in form

Mile 10: the gap has extended to 1:32

2009-10-01T01:03:49Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 10: the gap has extended to 1:32

Mile 10: mid-pack runners, including Joan Samuelson (yellow cap), 6 minutes behind Lewy-Boulet.

2009-10-01T01:03:44Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 10: mid-pack runners, including Joan Samuelson (yellow cap), 6 minutes behind Lewy-Boulet.

Mile 11.5: Lewy-Boulet runs strong and steady, bypassing the hydration tables.

2009-10-01T01:02:18Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 11.5: Lewy-Boulet runs strong and steady, bypassing the hydration tables.

Mile 11.5: Determination

2009-10-01T01:10:50Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 11.5: Determination

Mile 11.5: Lead pack runners grab their personal drink bottles

2009-10-01T01:03:43Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 11.5: Lead pack runners grab their personal drink bottles

Mile 13.1: turning onto Massachusetts Ave Bridge to return to Boston. Lewy-Boulet still out in front, lead pack dwindling to 8 runners.

2009-10-01T01:02:27Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 13.1: turning onto Massachusetts Ave Bridge to return to Boston. Lewy-Boulet still out in front, lead pack dwindling to 8 runners.

Mile 13.1: Kastor leads the charge around the corner, followed by Russell.

2009-10-01T01:02:26Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 13.1: Kastor leads the charge around the corner, followed by Russell.

Mile 13.1: a few steps back, Kate O'Neill and Mary Akor know they have to bridge the gap. The race is on.

2009-10-01T01:02:26Z

Raymond Britt
Mile 13.1: a few steps back, Kate O'Neill and Mary Akor know they have to bridge the gap. The race is on.

Raymond Britt's photo

2009-10-01T01:02:20Z

US Olympic Trials: Women's Marathon

US Women's Marathon Olympic Trials starting line, on Boylston Street, Boston.

7:28am, Olympic Trials marathon runners emerge from hotel to warm up before the race begins at 8am. Most were smiling with excitement. Note that Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, in sunglasses on the r ...

Clock strikes 8am at the Arlington Street Church. The race is on.

0.6 Mile: Runners come into view, heading east on Boylston, Arlington Street Church on right.

0.7 Mile: To the surprise of almost everyone, a lone runner, #43, has already sprinted out to a lead of 100 meters as the course passes the southwest corner of the Boston Public Garden, on t ...

0.7 Mile: 15 seconds behind #43, nearly the entire field is running as as single pack.

0.7 Mile: Runners at the front include Deena Kastor (#1, white cap) and Blake Russell (#17, second from right). They do not seem concerned with the early lead by #43.

0.8 Mile: The pack continues east toward the Boston Common.

Runners follow the course to around the Boston Common, to return on the other side of the Boston Public Garden, which is empty except for the swan boats.

1.8 Mile: Spectators are shocked -- see man in blue, center -- to see #43 increasing her lead. She might be serious. Spectators begin to ask who she is. Scanning the list to the runner with ...

1.8 Mile: 21 seconds later, the lead pack of runners drive as one, heading west on Beacon Street.

1.8 Mile: Lead runners include favorites Elva Dryer (#2), Kastor, Mary Akor (white long-sleeve shirt, in front)

5k: Runners cross the Charles River on the Massachusetts Ave Bridge, heading to Cambridge (right).

4.3 Miles: Lewy-Boulet runs alone on Memorial Drive

4.3 Miles: 52 seconds later, the lead pack arrives.

4.3 Mile: Akor and Dryer set the pace, while Kastor remains comfortably in the group.

4.3 Mile: the field has begun to break apart into smaller groups.

4.3 Mile: Joan Sameulson, upper right, in yellow, runs strong

Mile 5.3: Lewy-Boulet remains decidedly alone in the lead, returning west on Memorial Drive under Longfellow Bridge

Mile 5.3: Lewy-Boulet's form looks perfect. Reaction on right is typical: wow!

Mile 5.3: Leaders running strong, but continuing to lose time, 1:05 behind Lewy-Boulet.

Mile 10: second lap, east-bound on Memorial Drive in Cambridge.

Mile 10: no change in form

Mile 10: the gap has extended to 1:32

Mile 10: mid-pack runners, including Joan Samuelson (yellow cap), 6 minutes behind Lewy-Boulet.

Mile 11.5: Lewy-Boulet runs strong and steady, bypassing the hydration tables.

Mile 11.5: Determination

Mile 11.5: Lead pack runners grab their personal drink bottles

Mile 13.1: turning onto Massachusetts Ave Bridge to return to Boston. Lewy-Boulet still out in front, lead pack dwindling to 8 runners.

Mile 13.1: Kastor leads the charge around the corner, followed by Russell.

Mile 13.1: a few steps back, Kate O'Neill and Mary Akor know they have to bridge the gap. The race is on.

Raymond Britt's photo

Mile 13.2: Joan Samuelson returns to Boston on Massachusetts Ave Bridge, with Cambridge and MIT's dome in the background.

Mile 15.4: Lewy-Boulet remains fast and strong on lap 4, returning to Cambridge.

Raymond Britt's photo

Mile 15.4: Trailing by 1:35, Kastor decides it's time to make her move.

Mile 15.4: Kastor drives to put distance between her and Russell and Astor, the remaining runners from the lead pack.

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

Mile 15.4 (left side)/Mile 13.5 (right side): the field is spread far apart on this out and back loop course.

Mile 15.4: Runner floating on air.

Mile 20: Lewy-Boulet on Boylston Street, still focused and running smoothly.

Mile 20: Kastor runs alone, closing the gap on Lewy-Boulet to 1:05.

Raymond Britt's photo

Mile 20: The finish banner ahead means one more 6.0 mile lap to go. But Kastor still cannot see Lewy-Boulet in the distance.

Mile 20.1: All eyes on Kastor (on left).

Mile 20.1: Blake Russell (right of center, in shadow) in third place, with challengers closing in. Can she hold on for 6 more miles?

Finish Line Banners

Finish Line: Kastor overtook Lewy-Boulet at about 23 miles, and takes first place with style and grace.

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

Finish Line: Lewy-Boulet finishes the race of her life in second place.

Lewy-Boulet bursts into tears seconds after finishing.

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

Finish Line: Blake Russell shook off two challengers (see the pair of runners in the distance, center lane) to approach the finish line in third place.

Raymond Britt's photo

Raymond Britt's photo

The US Women's Marathon Olympians celebrate.

Finish Line: duel for 4th place.

Lewy-Boulet.

Kastor

The playing of the Star-Spangled Banner. Note the reactions: Lewy-Boulet holding back tears, Kastor beaming with pride, Russell seems to be happy and relieved.

Raymond Britt's photo