Councilor Matt O’Malley Proclaims June 20 as “Des Linden Day”
The Boston Marathon winner was celebrated at City Hall.
Photo by Tessa Yannone
Des Linden was welcomed back to Boston today with open arms, as City Councilor Matt O’Malley proclaimed June 2 “Des Linden Day” at a City Hall meeting. The 2018 Boston Marathon winner chatted with fans and members of the media beforehand and happily posed for selfies. She said that winning was one thing, but that she still hasn’t got used to all the traveling, promotional work, and smiling she has had to do the past few months—said all under one big smile.
O’Malley began recognizing marathon legends five years ago, and has previously honored race director Dave McGillivray, Team Hoyt, Jack Fultz, and Joan Benoit Samuelson. This year he said they just didn’t have a plan in place around Patriot’s Day and had no one in the pipeline. “Boy, was I glad we didn’t though,” he said during the meeting. “Because for the first time ever we have a newly minted Boston Marathon champion to celebrate.”
Her stunning performance during the race, in less than ideal conditions, was inspiring and motivational for everyone watching. She ran her first Boston Marathon in 2007, after thinking she would never be a marathoner, and it changed the direction of her life, when she fell in love with the event.
“I wanted to do something special in this city, on this course, and for these great people,” she says. “And I’ve come so close and gone through the ups and downs. I’ve seen history happen in this city, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and the city bounces back. When I felt like I was ready to give up chasing the dream in 2017, I couldn’t let it go. I had to show up one more time. It became my mantra for the last year: Keep showing up. Gosh, I’m sure glad I did.”
Photo by Tessa Yannone
