Sidelined since February with a back injury, Flanagan to compete in July 

By Chris Lotsbom, Dyestat Editor

The Atlanta Track Club announced Friday that Shalane Flanagan will make her return to racing July 4 at the AJC Peachtree Road Race, home to this year's USATF Women's National 10K Championship.

Flanagan, who has been out since February with a lower back injury, was the top woman at the 2015 Peachtree Road Race in 32:05. 

Although most often regarded as a marathoner (after all, she's run the event at two consecutive Olympics), Flanagan is the American record holder in the 10K on the roads. She ran 30:52 at the B.A.A. 10K last year as a tune-up in her Olympic marathon prep. This race will be a good benchmark to see how training and recovery has progressed since Flanagan's injury flared up earlier this year. She was set to run the Marugame Half-Marathon in February, but withdrew.

The return of Flanagan has been long awaited since she finished sixth in the Olympic Marathon last year. Flanagan has chronicled her long road back on Instagram. In the time she's been sidelined, Flanagan has been part of the Breaking2 event, promoted her book "Run Fast, Eat Slow", and took a vacation to Hawaii. 

Flanagan won't just run at the Peachtree Road Race -- she'll be part of an event with "Run Fast, Eat Slow" co-author and chef Elyse Kopecky.