BOSTON – University at Albany alumna Jessica Chichester finished fifth in the women's field at the 2018 Boston Marathon on Monday.  She finished with a time of two hours, 45 minutes, and 23 seconds.

Chichester, 31, was the fourth American woman, following women's champion Desiree Linden who was the first American to win the women's division in 33 years.  Chichester's finishing time was a personal best by eight minutes, and a course best by nearly 20 minutes.  She finished ahead of New York City Marathon winner Shalane Flanagan.

Chichester had run the Boston Marathon three times since 2012.  She currently resides in Brooklyn and is a member of the Dashing Whippets Running team.  She started in the marathon's third corral (the first corral being reserved for “elite” runners) and worked her way up to fifth place by the end of the course.

Competing for UAlbany in the middle 2000's, Chichester ranks 38th in cross country program history in the 6K with a personal best of 23:13.72.