Runners React to Shalane Flanagan’s Retirement

“You set the bar high and brought everyone on the line up to those standards. USA women dream bigger because of you.”

As news spread of Shalane Flanagan’s retirement on Monday, the running community took to social media to share their thoughts and perspective on how one of the sport’s most decorated athlete’s has impacted their lives.

How runners are reacting to Shalane Flangan’s retirement

“What does her retirement mean to me? Many things. The one thing that sticks out the most is the journey,” her husband Steve Edwards wrote on Instagram. “Shalane never made it to Footlocker in HS, she bombed out at NCAA XC Champs her sophomore year (picture is 10min post race.) She was entitled to nothing in running, she earned it all. She never got overwhelmed with the process, just took it one mile at a time, for 20 plus years. From Boulder, to Marblehead, to Chapel Hill and now in Portland. Wouldn’t of changed anything.”

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Thank you to all who have congratulated Shalane and myself on her retirement. What does her retirement mean to me? Many things. The one thing that sticks out the most is the journey. Shalane never made it to Footlocker in HS, she bombed out at NCAA XC Champs her sophomore year (picture is 10min post race.) She was entitled to nothing in running, she earned it all. She never got overwhelmed with the process, just took it one mile at a time, for 20 plus years. From Boulder, to Marblehead, to Chapel Hill and now in Portland. Wouldn’t of changed anything, yeah, we made mistakes, but we learned so much along the way. “Started from the bottom and now we’re here.” -Drake Well done Shalane, as I always tell her, I couldn’t of done it better myself!!

A post shared by Steve Edwards (@btccoachsteve) on Oct 21, 2019 at 2:58pm PDT

Her post-collegiate career was filled with excellence and dominance across distances—and was impossible to ignore.

Oiselle’s Sarah Lesko noted how she (and likely many other coaches) used Flanagan as an example of what good running looks like, tweeting: “During my 9 years coaching middle school XC and T&F, each season I would show clips of this race of Shalane Flanagan to demonstrate what good form and guts looks like.”

But for many, it was the 2017 New York City Marathon—when she became the first U.S. woman in 40 years to win—and her now iconic reaction that will forever be cemented in their memories.

The great Shalane Flanagan, who at 36 became the first American woman to win the NYC Marathon in 40 years, is retiring. As she was nearing the finish line, she said what so many of us were thinking pic.twitter.com/GeTLpawyLP

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 21, 2019

That single moment changed American distance running forever, and created a legacy of greatness that raised the bar for everyone. “I smashed the 100 mile World Record a week after Shalane won NYC! The Shalane Effect is real!” wrote two-time World Champion ultrarunner Camille Herron.

Flanagan’s retirement doesn’t mean her impact is leaving the sport, however, merely shifting. She also announced on Monday her official move to coaching the Bowerman Track Club in Portland, Oregon. After competing for 15 years, Flanagan will now become one of the only women guiding the careers of U.S. Olympic runners.

“This badass pouty-mouth selfless passionate caring champion runner, who made 4 Olympic teams, laid the foundation for the 21st-century American elite women’s running boom,” Arizona State University sports historian and former NCAA track champion Victoria Jackson tweeted. “She lifts others up as she flies, and will continue to do so, now as a coach!”

From everyday athletes and race organizers to former teammates and future athlete’s she will coach, here are some of the runner reactions to the news of Shalane Flanagan’s retirement:

Courtney Frerichs, 2017 World Silver Medalist and professional runner with Bowerman Track Club:

Emily Infeld, 2016 Olympian and professional runner with Bowerman Track Club:

Kara Goucher, elite distance runner and former teammate of Flanagan:

Congrats to @ShalaneFlanagan on an incredible career! With each of your achievements you pushed American distance running forward, and continue to do so now as a coach for @bowermantc. I feel lucky to have been a training partner of yours!! Cheers to you!!! 🥂 pic.twitter.com/8YJ7aMhvpD

— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) October 21, 2019

Molly Huddle, elite distance runner and 10,000-meter American Record Holder:

Major cheers 🍻to your amazing running career ⁦@ShalaneFlanagan⁩ . You set the bar high and brought everyone on the line up to those standards. USA women dream bigger bc of you- will miss chasing your ponytail around but can’t wait to see what your future athletes do! pic.twitter.com/CL8lbQGbfn

— Molly Huddle (@MollyHuddle) October 21, 2019

Mary Wittenberg, former President and CEO of New York Road Runners: 

Elyse Kopecky, two-time NYT Bestselling co-author of Run Fast. Eat Slow. and Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. with Flanagan:

Steve Magness, run coach and author of The Passion Paradox:

Congrats to @ShalaneFlanagan on an incredible career. She helped transform what was possible for American distance runners, and became a role model for all in the sport.

No doubt much more of the same to come in her next career: https://t.co/mWAAsKN0t2

— Steve Magness (@stevemagness) October 21, 2019

Paul Merca, track & field writer announcer based in Seattle:

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A shout out to a class act and a person I consider a friend for everything that you’ve done in your competitive career. : : It’s been a privilege to capture your career as a pro in various venues around the world. You were always composed when it was time to talk to the media, and you were always gracious with your time. : : More than the numerous national titles & the Olympic medal, I appreciated you sharing your knowledge with the younger athletes on the various @usatf national cross country teams over the years. : : Most importantly, I will never forget that night in Bydgoszcz after earning a team medal at the @iaaf_athletics world cross country championships—“Wine is on Magda!”, and the celebration at that wine bar that night with the team and staff members. : : So happy that you got to go out on your terms, and I look forward to seeing you in your role as a coach for the @bowermantc : : #thankyoushalane : : All photos copyright ©, Paul Merca, except photo 10, © Howard Lao, @howlaophotography. All worldwide rights reserved. : : #nikonsports #nikonsportsphotography #nikonsportsphotographer #nikond750 #nikond70 #nikond5 #paulmerca #crosscountryrunning #trackandfield #marathon #olympian #olympicmedalist @nikerunning @nike #justdoit

A post shared by Paul Merca (@paulmerca70601) on Oct 21, 2019 at 8:26am PDT

Caitlyn Smith, former Women’s Running digital editor who wrote about some of Flanagan’s most pivotal life and career moments:

Biggest congratulations, thank you & F#CK YEAH to @ShalaneFlanagan on her retirement from professional running. It was the privilege of my life to interview you in Beaverton & write so many features on your amazing career. You’re a legend. 🇺🇸

— Caitlyn Smith (@caitpilk) October 21, 2019

Sarah Mac Robinson, writer and 2016 Olympic Trials Qualifier:

Taneen Carvell, endurance coach based in Arlington, VA:

A legend may leave their role in the sport but never will that diminish their impact on it. Congratulations @shalaneflanagan on a well earned next chapter. You are and will forever be a cherished inspiration to us all! https://t.co/2uBtVMAs7R

— Taneen Carvell (@CoachTRally) October 21, 2019