She may appear tiny weighing only 40kg, but TEGLA LOROUPE'S reputation is bigger than her physical frame. Her name evokes images of her world record-breaking achievements in athletics and her international role as an ambassador of peace. She spoke to Nanjinia Wamuswa
I was brought up in a very humble background. I was born on May 9, 1973 in the hilly Kapsait Location, Lelan Division, West Pokot District in Rift Valley Province. I was raised in a polygamous family as my father had four wives and 24 children. In my mother’s house, there were six of us, four girls and two boys. I am the third born.
When the secondary schools’ athletics events were near, my school picked me to start training but I declined.
Since the school administration knew I was good, they insisted l be part of the team.
When I refused, I was punished and ordered to crawl on my knees on concrete for 5km. Thereafter, I was threatened with expulsion, so I finally gave in. I was grouped with senior students and l beat them all.
From then on, l featured in all the school’s athletic events and I went on my winning streak. In 1988, l won a prestigious cross-country race and was nominated for the junior race world championship where l finished 28th.
After my ‘O’ levels l got scholarship to study accounts at Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology. Later, I got a job with Posta Kenya in 1992 working as an accountant. While there, l represented Kenya in the Barcelona Olympics, but l fell down in the final lap and finished 16th.
International athlete
l met Volker Wanger, a German coach, during these Olympics and he became my trainer. So for any athletic event l was to feature, l travelled to Germany three months prior to train. I still do.
My schedule as an international athlete became so tight that I was compelled to resign from my job at Posta four years later, although they had always allowed me time to train and participate in athletic events. My two step-brothers, Titus and Boaz Loroupe, are also renowned athletes.
Every morning I wake up at 5.30am daily to train for half an hour, before getting into my busy schedule. I have participated in local and international marathons and emerged victorious in many. I am a three-time World Half Marathon Champion and the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon. I won two more marathons in 1994 and 1995.
Other competitions l have won include London, Boston, Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Berlin and Rome Marathons; the Zevenheuvelenloop 15km race in Netherlands, Egmond Half Marathon and Lisbon Half Marathon among numerous others.
Bed of roses
I am perhaps unrivalled as an international sports icon of all time. I hold local and international athletic medals, records and honours under my belt. At one time I was regarded the fastest woman marathoner in the world.
But it has not always been a bed of roses. My darkest moment was in 2000 during the Sydney Summer Olympics when I suffered food poisoning, but I still had to run. I also had issues with my health for more than a year before returning to my winning streak.
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I last participated in an event early this year when l ran a 20,000km race from Germany to Rome to raise funds for charity and I got to present the cheque to Pope Benedict IX. Some of the money raised helped to build a Catholic Church in Eldoret.
One of my biggest heroes and role models is Kipchoge Keino (currently the chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee). The other is Nelson Mandela. From him l have learned the power of forgiveness.
When I’m not tied up to athletics, l’m a subsistence, bee and dairy cattle farmer in West Pokot. I also take care of my late sisters’ six children. I have no diary to guide me through my daily activities but I manage my time well. I am always flexible and do my things in order of importance.
Muthurwa market
I like shopping at Muthurwa Market in Nairobi because I enjoy chatting with the hawkers. During the severe famine that hit West Pokot in 2008, I developed friendships with them and they donated tonnes of foodstuff and clothes, which l took to my needy people.
I consider myself a normal, down-to-earth person. To me, a person’s riches are measured through fellow people.
I enjoy mingling freely with my fans and discussing important issues with them. However, I have no time for partying, but I enjoy listening to gospel music and Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s songs.
I am a born-again Christian and I attend the African Inland Church. I am yet to get married. I don’t know if it is because men seem to shy away from sportswomen. Maybe they assume we are always busy and not ready to settle down to a serious relationship.