Who is Des Linden? All about the 41-year-old American who finished 11th at New York City Marathon 2024

Des Linden is an American marathon runner who finished 11th in the 2024 New York City Marathon at the age of 41. This event was the 29th marathon of her long career.

Linden clocked a run-time of 2:29:32 to finish as the fourth fastest American runner at the event. Sara Vaughan, Jess McClain, and Kellyn Taylor finished ahead of the 41-year-old during the race which was eventually won by the Kenyan runner, Sheila Chepkirui.

This was Linden's third marathon event of her 2024 season having previously competed at the Boston Marathon and US Olympics team trials. She finished 16th at the Boston event and 11th at the trials.

Let's find out more about this 41-year-old marathon runner who competed at the 2024 New York City Marathon, Des Linden.

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Des Linden's family and hometown

Linden crossing the finishing line at the 127th Boston Marathon (Image via: Getty Images0

Linden was born on July 26, 1983 in San Diego, California. Her family includes her parents, Dennis Davila and Nancy Davila. She also has one sister named Natalie. Linden is married to fellow marathoner and long-distance runner, Ryan Linden.

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Des Linden's educational details

Linden during a baseball clash between Baltimore Orioles v Boston Red Sox (Image via: Getty Images)

Linden completed her high schooling at the Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, California. After that, she went to Arizona State University for collegiate education. She graduated with a degree in psychology in 2005. During her time at ASU, she became a two-time All-American in track and cross country. She also clinched third place for her team in the 5000m event of the 2005 Pac-10 Championships.

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Des Linden's career achievements

Linden at the Boylston Street during the 126th Boston Marathon in 2022 (Image via: Getty Images)

Competing at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Desiree "Des" Linden clinched a silver medal for the United States in the 10K event. She clocked a run-time of 32:43.99 to finish just behind Mexico's Brenda Flores.

The San Diego native also has an impressive record in Major World Marathon events. She won the prestigious Boston Marathon 2018 in 2:39:54 and finished second at the 2010 Chicago and 2011 Boston Marathons.

Besides these meet victories, Linden also holds the 50K world record with a run-time of 2:59:54. She also represented the United States in the marathon events of the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Linden failed to complete her race in 2012, and in 2016 she finished seventh after clocking 2:26:08.