Social Media Reacts to Desiree Linden’s Record-Setting Race
The people's champion set a new 50K world record and the internet LOVED IT.
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ICYMI: Desiree Linden succeeded in her 50K world record (technically speaking, a world best) attempt at the Brooks Running 50K & Marathon in Eugene, Oregon on Tuesday.
[You can read our entire race report here.]
Even before the race began, the hype around the attempt was real. Linden took to social media to acknowledge why: “The point is to bring you along,” she wrote on Twitter. “To help you feel invested in the results.”
https://twitter.com/karagoucher/status/1379548899652722688?s=21
It certainly felt like everyone was invested. On April 7, Brooks Running released a promo video highlighting one of Linden’s biggest efforts in her training leading up to the race.
Fast Women’s Alison Wade was quick to take note that the reason the video showed up in her feed was because it was re-tweeted by the now-former record holder.
I love that this showed up in my timeline because Aly Dixon, current record holder, retweeted it. I appreciate how supportive you're being of the woman going after your record, @alydixon262!
— Fast Women (@fast_women) April 7, 2021
The race specifics (where, when, etc.) were kept pretty tightly under wraps. People knew generally when it was happening, but it wasn’t until nearly 24 hours before race time that Linden’s agent, Josh Cox, informed social media of the specifics on the record attempt, including: “Live coverage is impossible but a short film will be produced and updates will be provided.”
Des Linden will attempt the 50k World Record tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m at the “@BrooksRunning 50k & Marathon” here in Oregon. Live coverage is impossible but a short film will be produced and updates will be provided. pic.twitter.com/TDAfxuZPAt
— Josh Cox (@JoshCox) April 12, 2021
Support rushed in from every corner of the internet, including top elites like Molly Huddle and 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials winner Aliphine Tuliamuk.
https://twitter.com/mamazoecherotch/status/1381709700052385793?s=21
As the race started, Letsrun.com staff writer Jonathan Gault noted that “special things happen when Linden races in a jacket,” alluding to her epic and unforgettable win at the 2018 Boston Marathon.
Special things happen when Des Linden races in a jacket https://t.co/a3Lhnz1aTl
— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) April 13, 2021
The limited updates given throughout the race kept Twitter busy trying to keep track of where Linden was and calculate if she was still on pace.
(Hint: She was. Boston Marathon Pro Mary Kate Shea informed everyone that Linden’s time at the half of 1:15:47 meant she was running at an average 5:47-per mile, well ahead of the required 6:01 pace.)
#Des50k https://t.co/ilaXrspUbk pic.twitter.com/ROD2vTtgQx
— Brooks Running (@brooksrunning) April 13, 2021
Due to these COVID times, there was limited crowd support at the race, and Kara Goucher was calling for spectators to be proxies of the internet’s collective enthusiasm.
I think you can cheer louder!! Tell her we are all rooting her on!
— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) April 13, 2021
Because we all wished we could be there, watching THIS happen.
.@Des_linden crushing it- getting close to 26.2miles and on World Best 50K pace. pic.twitter.com/eCst8LtrC7
— Boston Marathon Pro (@BostonMar_Pro) April 13, 2021
Seriously. The internet could not look away.
I'm glued to twitter this is amazing!!!! #Des50K
— Amanda Cruz Myhrberg (@AC_Myhrberg) April 13, 2021
Some runners were trying to help their non-runner friends and followers grasp the impressiveness of this race.
Holy wow.
For those curious, that's about 5:46 per mile. If she holds that pace for a few more miles, she's gonna totally obliterate the WB 50K! #Des50k https://t.co/uJvqFpJPPY
— Stephanie (Butzer) Rose (@stephaniebutzer) April 13, 2021
While others were busy thinking about how insane Linden’s running is compared to their own.
Des looks stronger after 26.2 miles at this pace than I did after holding it for 200 meters at the track this morning. Go, Des, go! #Des50k https://t.co/MbZbWYllQm
— Kimberlee Johnson (@kimeejohnson) April 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/bexwade89/status/1382028877136949251
Toward the end, people were getting antsy for updates. (Our team included.)
It has been over 5 minutes since the last update from people on the ground. @des_linden has run at least 1 mile since then. I need an update!!! #Des50k
— Michele Moore Duhen (@Michele_Moore) April 13, 2021
With Alison Wade bringing in some perspective: Hey, at least we have social media!
This is how we used to follow races (having pretty much no idea what was going on) back in the day, minus the social media part. Once the internet came along, we were lucky if results popped up a couple hours after the fact.
— Fast Women (@fast_women) April 13, 2021
Whoever was handling Brooks’s social during this race, bravo: you encapsulated our feelings to a T.
Final stretch to a WR kinda mood #Des50k pic.twitter.com/ETEiNeIybX
— Brooks Running (@brooksrunning) April 13, 2021
People were putting everything on hold to hear the results.
She's done, right? Is she done? Where's the tweet?? I gotta pee but can't go until I see the tweet with the new WR. #Des50k
— LornaV (@lorna_veronica) April 13, 2021
And there was no bigger relief than actually getting to see the epic finish, and confirm Linden’s record-setting finish time of 2:59:54.
The video we all wanted!!! https://t.co/wGAMBjucXJ
— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) April 13, 2021
The congratulations poured in from elites and age-groupers alike.
https://twitter.com/karagoucher/status/1382037359420530689?s=21
https://twitter.com/MollyHuddle/status/1382043552755044352?s=20
What can’t you do @des_linden ?!?! Huge congratulations on your world record for the 50k!!!!! Beyond proud of you!
— Tatyana McFadden (@TatyanaMcFadden) April 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/allydurks/status/1382038385225826308?s=21
Including Aly Dixon.
Be right back, just changing my bio…#Des50k
— Aly Dixon (@alydixon262) April 13, 2021
People were equally emotional and impressed.
https://twitter.com/hunterrider/status/1382037752431091714?s=21
She said 5:47 pace and ran 5:47 pace like the boss she is. https://t.co/Va0NU7mBac
— Satine Kryze but not a pacifist (@LindsayKnake) April 13, 2021
But everyone was ready to cheers and celebrate the one, the only, Des Linden.
I'm imagining the next update will be @des_linden holding a bottle of bourbon celebrating. #SendingThatOutInTheWorld #Des50K
— Amanda Cruz Myhrberg (@AC_Myhrberg) April 13, 2021
MOOD pic.twitter.com/H0LUq2Rd39
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) April 13, 2021
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