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Boston Globe

Jess McClain's rookie Boston run ends with her atop a decorated field of American women

'I probably have to take a step back and look at 2028 [Olympic trials] and what it's going to take to be on the podium at majors and make that team in 2028, and maybe dialing a little bit back in the other realms of my life and going a lot more in on running,' said McClain, who finished seventh overall in 2:22:43, some five minutes behind winner Advertisement 'Every time I'm on a stage like this, it's taking that step back and probably figuring out what the best approach is, but yes, I love being a part of the conversation. Hoping to be a part of the conversation for quite some time.' Joining McClain in the women's top 10 was Annie Frisbie from Hopkins, Minn., who finished eighth in 2:23:21. Medford's Emma Bates, the top American woman here the last two years, was third this year and 13th overall in 2:25:10. Emma Bates runs Heartbreak Hill on Monday. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Both McLain and Frisbie ran their fastest marathons — McLain by a bit more than three minutes, Frisbie by a bit less in her second Boston run. McClain found the race to both her liking and expectations. Advertisement 'I've heard historically from many people for years and years and years that it will play well towards the end if I stick to my guns and run my own race,' she said. 'So I really tried to do that today, but it's hard seeing the pack kind of go a few miles in and trying to exercise restraint.' Holding back worked in the end. 'I knew that it was likely going to feel a little bit warm toward the latter half of the race, and I've been training super consistently on hills, so I thought if I was a little bit patient early on, it would pay off,' said McClain. 'And we had an awesome pack of Americans. It was Emma Bates, Sara Hall and [me] pretty much through the first half of it. So we just worked together, sucked the crowds in, and tried to just be patient and work our way up.' Related : Working her way up to a podium as a medalist at a major marathon or the Olympics is hardly a farfetched dream for McClain. She posted fourth-place finishes at the 2024 US Olympic trials in both the marathon and 10,000 meters, plus at the 2023 Grandma's Marathon in Minnesota. 'It was a bittersweet moment that it happened three times this past year, just being that shy of making a team in some capacity,' said McClain, who won the 2022 Mesa (Ariz.) Marathon. 'But today, it felt like a win for me. I hope one day to contend for a podium.' Related : Michael Silverman can be reached at