The Irish distance running star will make a welcome return to the marathon in April.

Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack has been added to the elite field for the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15.

McCormack last raced over 26.2 miles at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 where she finished 20th in a personal best 2:31:22.

The 34-year-old, who has competed at three Olympic Games and a record 15 European Cross Country Championships, became a mother for the first time last autumn.

Following the arrival of her daughter, McCormack made a return to racing at the Northern Ireland International Cross Country in January, finishing in sixth place.

Most recently, the two-time European Cross Country Champion clocked 33:21 to take the win at the Enniscorthy 10k road race.

In Boston, McCormack will come up against 11 female athletes who have personal best times under 2:23:00, including 2018 winner Desiree Linden of the United States and compatriot Jordan Hasay.

They join four women who have run under 2:20 including 2017 Boston champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya and Ethiopian trio Aselefech Mergia, Mare Dibaba and Worknesh Degefa.

The previously announced Boston Marathon elite fields can be found here.

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