Smith, who is from New Zealand but trains in Providence, Rhode Island, US, has been out running on the Boston course. She’s also in the best shape of her life.
“I think it is a winnable race, and, if I won it, it would mean a lot,” she says.
After running 2:25 at the London Marathon last year, then placing a close fifth at the New York City Marathon in November, Smith ran a stunning 1:07:36 half marathon in February. That race got the attention of Allison Roe, an New Zealander who won Boston in 1981.
“I expect based on her recent 67-minute half marathon in New Orleans, US, while still in heavy training, that she is perfectly positioned to freshen up and run a blinder,” Roe says.
“I’m really excited to run Boston,” Smith says. “I’ve heard it’s a pretty cruel race, so I’m excited to be doing it.”
