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Desiree Linden crosses the finish line. Elise Amendola/PA Images

Desiree Linden waited for a racer to use the loo during the Boston marathon and still won by 4 minutes

She is the first American woman to win the race in 33 years.

DESIREE LINDEN MADE the best of bad conditions on Monday to become the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon since 1985.

While her time of two hours, 39 minutes and 54 seconds was the slowest winning time since 1978, that only spoke to the difficult conditions runners faced through the 26.2 mile course, battered by a tough wind and cold rain that kept the pace relatively slow.

Lindenโ€™s run was a memorable one not only for her triumph over the conditions, but also for the sportsmanship she displayed on the course.

Almost an hour into the race, fellow American runner Shalane Flanagan took a quick detour to use one of the restrooms set up just off the course.

Rather than racing on with the group, Linden chose to hang back with Flanagan and help her make up the lost time and rejoin the main pack.

It was a display of sportsmanship that impressed many watching the race.

The race was undoubtedly one that Linden will never forget. Having come in second place in 2011, just two seconds behind winner Caroline Kilel, taking home the top prize in 2018 came with an extra bit of relief.

While the weather didnโ€™t do the racers any favours in their efforts, Linden didnโ€™t seem to mind the intervention from Mother Nature.

โ€œItโ€™s supposed to be hard,โ€ she told reporters after the race. โ€œItโ€™s good to get it done.โ€

You can watch the final stretch of Lindenโ€™s winning race below:

CBS Boston / YouTube

- Tyler Lauletta, Business Insider

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    Mute Zossima
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    Jul 19th 2017, 6:30 PM

    Best of luck to Dundalk, playing some lovely stuff at the moment ( Cork City Fan )

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    Mute Donnacha Bhoicaire
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:30 PM

    The old score board operator at the journal has gone home

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Jul 19th 2017, 6:08 PM

    Pity GAA games have no international relevance/interest.

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    Mute Andrew Clarke
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    Jul 19th 2017, 6:41 PM

    @Fank Pulman: not sure of the relevenace of this comment? Dundalk are flying the flag for Ireland and rightly so getting the plaudits rather than starting a nonsense GAA debate.

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:01 PM

    @Andrew Clarke: Itโ€™s s pity โ€“ thatโ€™s all. Great gamesโ€ฆ

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    Mute Conor O'Neill
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:19 PM

    @Fank Pulman: probably more Irish people in the UK, US and Australia watching GAA games than people outside of Ireland watching this game. Silly point to try start a pointless and needless argument

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:25 PM

    @Conor Oโ€™Neill: no argumentโ€ฆis an opinion okยฟ

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    Mute Munster Haka
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:37 PM

    Rogers has been shaky. Surprised they didnโ€™t snap up Supple or Schlingerman in the off season

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    Mute William Motley
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    Jul 19th 2017, 8:59 PM

    @Munster Haka: what about old shay given? No?

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:10 PM

    Same 1st half as last week! Sloppy goal again to concede..
    hopefully just get the next goal for the away goal rule.

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    Mute Mark Nugent
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    Jul 19th 2017, 7:55 PM

    Come on the Town !!

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    Mute Gerard Clarke
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    Jul 19th 2017, 8:19 PM

    Come on Dundalk. :) finally showing that you can play good football and entertain.

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