A former Tar Heel great announced her retirement on Monday from the world of professional running, as four-time Olympian and 2017 New York City Marathon champion Shalane Flanagan revealed on Twitter she is calling it a career.

Flanagan became the first American woman to win the NYC Marathon in 40 years when she pulled off the feat in 2017. She then finished third at the event in 2018, which turned out to be her final race.

Her four Olympic appearances are tied for the all-time record for a U.S. distance runner, with her top accomplishment at that level of competition being a silver medal in the 10,000 meter race back in 2008 in Beijing.

Following knee surgery this past April, Flanagan had been unsure whether or not she wanted to compete again or turn her focus towards coaching.

She is now a coach at the Nike Bowerman Track Club in Oregon.

 

 

Photo via Associated Press

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