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Linden in Berlin. 2009.
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Personal information | |
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Birth name | Desiree Davila |
Nickname(s) | Desi[1] Des[2] |
Nationality | American |
Born | (1983-07-26) July 26, 1983 (age 40)[1] San Diego, California[1] |
Education |
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Occupation | long-distance runner |
Years active | 2006–present |
Agent | Josh Cox |
Height | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)[1] |
Weight | 100 lb (45 kg)[1] |
Spouse | Ryan Linden[1] |
Other interests | collecting whiskey and tapestries[1] |
Sport | |
Country | ![]() |
Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | 10,000 meters, Half marathon, Marathon |
College team | Arizona State Sun Devils |
Club | Brooks[1] |
Coached by | Walt Drenth[1] |
Achievements and titles | |
Olympic finals |
Marathon, 7th |
World finals |
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National finals |
Marathon, ![]() Marathon, ![]() |
Personal bests |
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Medal record |
Desiree "Des" Nicole Linden (née Davila; born July 26, 1983) is an American long-distance runner. She represented the United States in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics women's marathon. In 2018, she won the Boston Marathon, becoming the first American in 33 years to win the woman's category in the event. She holds the women's 50K world record of 2:59:54.
Desiree Davila was born in San Diego, California.
In high school Davila ran track and cross country, and played soccer.[1] She ran a sub-5 minute mile as a high school freshman and graduated from Hilltop High School in 2001.[1] At the CIF California State Meet she was a finalist all four years. In both 1998 and 1999 she was 8th in the 1600.[4] 1999 saw her also attempt to double in the 800 meters, finishing last after being depleted from the 1600. In 2000, she improved that to 5th. Her best finish was 4th in 2001 in the 3200.[5]
Linden studied psychologyatArizona State University, and was a two time All-American in track and cross country.[6] She finished third at the 2005 Pac-10 5,000m Collegiate Championships (16:59.93).[1]
Linden runs for the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in Michigan. She is represented by agent Josh Cox and is sponsored by Coros Global, Powerbar, Oakley, Boston Beer Company, and Brooks Running.[7]
Career highlights:
Surface | Event | Time | Date | Location |
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Outdoor track | 5,000 m | 15:08.64 | August 6, 2011 | London, England |
10,000 m | 31:37.14 | June 23, 2011 | Eugene, Oregon | |
Indoor track | 3,000 m | 8:51.08 | March 12, 2010 | Doha, Qatar |
Road | 20 km | 1:07.08 | March 18, 2012 | New York, New York |
Half marathon | 1:10.34 | January 16, 2011 | Naples, Florida | |
30 km | 1:43.50 | October 10, 2010 | Chicago, Illinois | |
Marathon | 2:22:38 | April 18, 2011 | Boston, Massachusetts |
Linden is an aficionado of bourbon.[36] One of her role models is Deena Kastor.[1]
She married marathoner Ryan Linden in 2013.[37]