Shalane Flanagan celebrates her return home by running 5K in Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD, Mass. — Fresh off her victory in the New York City Marathon, Marblehead native Shalane Flanagan returned to her hometown by running a 5K race that is near and dear to her.

Flanagan received a true hero's welcome home as she laced up her shoes for the 4th annual "Back the Track 5k" in Marblehead Saturday.

She celebrated and shared her passion with those who have been there from the very start in a race she helped launch.

The proceeds from Saturday's race goes towards rebuilding a track in the town.

"I feel so much love. These are the people I dig deep in training for and my races and they're constantly supporting my dreams and make it worthwhile when I do well because I get to celebrate with people who really care," Flanagan said. "The future is quite unknown at this point, I'm just absorbing, soaking in winning the NYC marathon."

Flanagan became the first American woman to win the New York City marathon in 40 years. To her, the 5K race was the equivalent of a brisk walk in the park, but what really mattered for her was to be there, cheering on other runners and giving them high-fives.

"We are so lucky to have Shalane here," said race director Gary Freedman. "This is what a regular person star athlete is all about and to have her here for the race and run with people and greet people... she's just a regular girl, like all of us, but she's a hell of a lot faster."

Cox Media Group