Kellys Arias made her country’s Olympic team after placing 19th at the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and running a 2:29:36 personal best marathon in Hamburg a month later. At the Olympics, Arias was unable to finish, but returned to action in New York City this past fall, finishing 13th. Of her Olympic experience, Arias says, “I was the best experience of my life to be surrounded by a total sporting environment with so many athletes from different sports and cultures. This showed me that in sport we all speak the same language.” In her marathon debut, Arias set the Colombian national record in the marathon and last year improved the mark in Hamburg to 2:29:36.

“The Boston marathon is a race that has always been in my goals since the moment I decided to specialize in this event,” says Arias. “This will be my fifth marathon and it is a real pleasure to be in the starting line of this prestigious race. My expectations are to always improve, and I hope to take advantage of the group of high level runners with the Boston Marathon to improve my personal mark of 2:29:36.” Arias trains in La Ceja, Antioquia, Colombia.

“Training strong and being so demanding with myself has taught me to not settle for small accomplishments. I always set high goals not only in sports, but in my personal life as well.”