Shalane Flanagan Will Be Shooting for the U.S Record in September's Berlin Marathon

Published by OregonLive.com on July 29, 2014

Shalane Flanagan will go hunting for the U.S. women's marathon record on Sept. 28 in Berlin.

"I have tiered goals," Flanagan said. "I want to run another PR. I want to break 2:20 – that's another big goal for women. And then the American record."

Flanagan, who has Nike sponsorship and trains with the Portland-based Bowerman Track Club, last was seen on a marathon course in April in Boston. She led the women's race for the first 19 miles before finishing seventh in 2 hours, 22 minutes, 2 seconds, a personal record.

Deena Kastor has owned the U.S. record of 2:19:36 since 2006.

Flanagan, 33, has that targeted, and she knows her window of opportunity is limited.

"I'm getting older," she said. "I feel like if I want to go for one really fast marathon without something big on the line, if I want to give myself one shot to run on a fast course and run to my potential, I shouldn't wait too much longer."

She and Bowerman Track Club coach Jerry Schumacher examined their options. They decided this fall was the optimum time and Berlin the optimum course.

"We think Berlin is one of the fastest, if not the fastest courses," Flanagan said. "There were too many variables with Chicago, and you would be gambling with the weather."