Blake Russell is a winner of the Twin Cities Marathon, a four-time top-20 finisher in World Cross Country Championships, and the top American finisher at the 2008 Olympic Games Marathon. She made the 2008 Olympic team by placing third behind Deena Kastor and Magdalena Lewy Boulet at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials held in Boston a day before the Boston Marathon. Russell most recently won the 2015 USA National Marathon Championship at the age of 39, which was held during the Los Angeles Marathon. At the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Russell missed making the team by one position, as she finished fourth. “I am happiest when I am running because my body feels fit and my mind is clear and focused on a goal,” says Russell. “Running is like life where you get back what you put into it. You might not always reach your goals, but you will be a better person for trying and testing yourself.”

Russell was an All-American at the University of North Carolina where she earned her BS in psychology and exercise science. She also holds a MS in physical therapy from Elon University. She is married to Jonathan and the couple has two children, Quin and Liv. Russell trains near her home in Pacific Grove, California on Monterey Peninsula. She owns a physical therapy clinic called On Track Physical Therapy and Performance and writes a monthly running column for the Monterey Herald. She speaks to local schools about goal-setting and how she made it to the Olympics after several attempts. I also help my local high school XC and track teams with workouts and support. She likes entertain her family with attempting to get stars on Dance Wii and enjoys baking cookies with her daughter. “She can crack eggs like a champ, though sometimes our cookies are a little “crunchier” than normal,” says Russell.

“Being Boston” means being tough, resilient and proud…all the emotions you feel while training for one of the most prestigious marathons in the world.”