runners an inside look at the finish line before race day each year. As she approaches the day she will earn her own Six Star medal, we asked her to pick out the highlights of her incredible career.

What did it mean to you to become Abbott World Marathon Majors Series Champion?

It means a lot to me. Looking back, winning the Series was the greatest achievement of my entire competitive sports career, which has lasted over 25 years. I am very proud that I could win the Series three times in a row.

You had so many successes in marathon running. Why do you think you are so well suited for this distance?

Running is my passion. I started track running when I was 13 years old. At the age of 17, I qualified for my first cross-world championships. Over many years I have laid a good foundation. As a middle/long-distance runner I have participated in four Olympic Games. I think laying this foundation on track was key to my achievements when I started running marathons. But I have to admit that running my first marathon at the age of 35 was a couple of years too late. I could not imagine working it out so well. So looking back, many years of tough training and competing over different distances have led me to success. But being ambitious and mentally strong are qualities that are at least as important to be successful in a marathon.

Which of your performances at the Majors was your favorite?

Finishing second at my first marathon in Berlin 2007 was the moment I got to know and love running marathons. Winning AbbottWMM races in London and Berlin 2008 was very special and emotional as well as Chicago, Tokyo, New York. Actually, each marathon I've run has its own magic and moments that mean a lot to me.

You ran in Tokyo in 2013, but then it took you six years to run in New York. What made you decide to get back into marathon running?

I ran my last marathon as a professional in 2013 in Berlin at the age of 41. Ending my professional career with that was planned. However, I couldn't imagine my life without running as it has become a part of my life. Since then I've always been active in sports, coaching and accompanying other runners to marathons. After six years of not competing, it was actually the Six Star medal that made me enter marathon running again. I also always dreamed of running a marathon just to enjoy the atmosphere and running the New York City Marathon as an amateur runner actually let me experience new facets of a marathon.

What makes the Six Star medal so special, and how will it feel to have that medal that so many people are chasing?

I think to all runners, chasing that medal it has its magic. It is difficult to describe but having finished five out of six marathons just does not feel

complete. It is a dream for me to own this medal as I know how challenging it was to come that far.

The Boston course is famous for its hills. How did the training go and how will you approach the race?

My motto for the Boston Marathon will be: “Here is the start, there is the finish. In between you have to run some hills.” For me, Boston has a special meaning. It is crucial to be mentally and physically prepared for the downhill and uphill profile of the course. I hope that I will enjoy the course although I know it will be challenging.