Four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan will race the New York City Marathon this November, her first since placing sixth at the Rio Olympic Games marathon. It will also be her first time racing New York since her historic run in 2010, where she claimed runner-up honors in her marathon debut, the highest finish for an American woman at the event since Kim Jones placed second in 1990.

The 36-year-old was slated to race the Boston Marathon this spring but withdrew from the event in February after sustaining a fracture in her lower back. She made a comeback in time for USAs, where she produced a gutsy effort to lead the women's 10K final ahead of American record holder Molly Huddle but ultimately finished fourth, one spot outside of qualifying for the world team.

Headed to NYC today to run with kids at Percy-Sutton 5k tomorrow morning #runspiration for the training ahead! @nyrr @nycmarathon pic.twitter.com/1LhO3w8zne

— Shalane Flanagan (@ShalaneFlanagan) August 25, 2017

In an interview with USA Today published today, Flanagan expressed doubts about her ability to return to the fitness level that has seen her win 15 USATF titles on the track and roads.

"I don't think there are a ton of women that have gone on to compete at this level at my age, at least in the U.S.," she said in the report. "So I'm kind of at unknown territory. I'm kind of always like, well, is this realistic to expect certain things of myself? Is it unfair to expect things of myself? I think there's definitely some doubt -- do I still have what it takes mentally and physically to keep working at this?"

Three-time defending champion Mary Keitany will be her biggest rival in New York. The 35-year-old set the women's-only marathon world record of 2:17:01 in winning the London Marathon this year. Flanagan set her personal best at 2:21:14 at the 2014 Berlin Marathon.

But in 2010, Keitany finished third in New York, one spot behind Flanagan. And that history gives the American hope for November.

"I want that one last really special moment," Flanagan said to USA Today. "I'm just hoping I can achieve it soon because I really, I just want one more big performance, and I feel like I have it within me. I just need the right stage and the right day to get it done."

The announcement comes on the heels of Flanagan retroactively receiving a silver medal for her efforts in the 2008 Olympic Games 10K this week. Flanagan was upgraded from bronze to silver after runner-up Elvan Abdeylegesse was disqualified in March of this year after testing positive for a banned substance. 

Happy dance Hello my Olympic silver medal #cleansport #upgrade #2008 pic.twitter.com/8JW3PtoHYx

— Shalane Flanagan (@ShalaneFlanagan) August 21, 2017

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