A La Conner distance runner shone through gray skies and rainy conditions at the Skagit Flats Marathon Sept. 12.

Galina Free, who was a cross-country skier growing up in far east Russia, didn’t melt in the face of a strong field and the opportunity to qualify for the storied Boston Marathon.

Far from it, in fact.

Free, 45, who can often be seen on training runs in and around La Conner, covered the 26.2 miles course in just over three hours and nine minutes, placing fifth overall and first among women entered in the race.

Even more impressive is the fact that the Skagit Flats event, whose cours...