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Hartland native Molly Seidel wins bronze in the Olympic marathon

Molly Seidel
Posted at 7:00 PM, Aug 06, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-07 00:52:49-04

HARTLAND — Huddled around a laptop in a thunderstorm, dozens of family and friends cheered during a hometown watch party for Molly Seidel, who scored bronze in the Olympic marathon Friday night.

Molly Seidel is 27 years old and grew up in Nashota, near Hartland. Family says this Olympic race is her third marathon—ever.

Family and friends chanted Molly's name throughout the marathon. Her mother and father fist pumped and jumped for joy as she led the pack.

No one missed a second of her race except for when the big screen TV lost service, and they switched to a laptop for the last few miles.

Watch her family celebrate the victory:

Molly's parents and siblings say what they are feeling is indescribable.

"Never underestimate the power of Molly," her mother, Anne Seidel, said. "She is one tough cookie, she is one tough cookie. I can't even believe it. I was like, just get in the top 10. Just be the top American, I will be happy. This is unbelievable."

"Just to see that pack whittle down and her stay in it," Molly's father, Fritz Seidel, said. "That's her MO. She runs so tough."

Poster image - 2021-08-06T234143.333.jpg

Family and friends crowded around as they FaceTimed Molly moments after her race. Molly said she was tired, and everyone laughed.

Next her father says Molly wants to run the Boston and New York Marathons. She will hurry back to the United States because she runs another professional race in about a week.

See all of our Olympics coverage at TMJ4.com/Olympics

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