Jordan Hasay Calls on Memory of Her Mom During Her First Marathon

"In 2013, I was a spectator just like the three victims and when I saw the 8-year-old. the first thing in my mind was that could have been my daughter", said Keflezighi.

Kiplagat told the local CBS affiliate that the run was her fastest time in any race, adding that afterward, she felt "extremely great".

American Jordan Hasay set a record for an American women's debut marathon, coming in third in 2:23:00.

"I had to put back something which was not mine", Kiplagat told reporters.

Two-time Boston Marathon victor Joan Benoit Samuelson, left, congratulates Edna Kiplagat, of Kenya, on her victory.

Her boyfriend, who was running with her, managed to shove the official out of the way and Ms Switzer kept running. After running two promising half marathons this year, including the third-fastest time by an American woman (1:07:55) earlier this month, she has taken a liking to road races, she said. "It's a real exciting time". "I knew I had to finish the race, because no one would believe women could do it unless I did", Switzer reflected to ABC News.

"I think that the marathon is a very emotional event and I tried to stay as relaxed and comfortable as possible and just breathe early on", Hasay said.

Still, despite proof that women could clearly complete marathons, the athletic world generally assumed that women "couldn't run and didn't want to run" that far, Switzer says. That didn't happen, but she did close some ground on Chelimo in the final stretch. "We're putting more numbers in there and it's just a matter of time", said Linden, the 2011 runner-up by 2 seconds. But there was someone else next to Hasay for every stride - her late mother Teresa.

Hasay said she was honored running with Linden and gathered energy from the chants of "USA, USA" toward the finish. But for those outside the running world, her name may not sound so familiar.

"She always calls me Paula..." Good job, Paula.' That kind of helped me get through some of the tough times. She is now 70 with 39 marathons in her resume. Hasay, aware that she was running in unknown territory, decided it was best to sustain her planned pace and hope that the women in front of her might slow in the remaining miles. "It gives me a lot of strength".