Running to break prevailing stereotypes motivated me to aim higher – Tegla Loroupe

Any athletics fanatic in the 1990s and early 2000s will remember the name Tegla Loroupe; the woman who set the marathon field ablaze with her running prowess.

Not only did she win marathons, but she also rewrote history, proving that African women could set the bar higher.

Her accolades read like a book, but most notably she won the 1994 and 1995 New York City Marathon titles, the 1997 Rotterdam Marathon title, the 2000 Rome Marathon title, the 2000 London Marathon title, and the 2002 Lausanne Marathon titles among other many accolades.

But what was the reason behind her fine form?

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For Loroupe, her dedication to long-distance running was fueled by a desire to challenge the prevailing stereotypes about her homeland in West Pokot.

Loroupe who hails from the Pokot community, believed passionately in breaking the myth that individuals from her region were solely defined by tribal conflicts and livestock theft. She sought to redefine the narrative surrounding the people of West Pokot, demonstrating that they possessed not only physical prowess but also the resilience and discipline required for world-class sportsmanship.

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“I had a vision. I wanted to have a name that would open doors for me because of my background. I come from West Pokot. All the time, even when I was in primary, secondary, and college, everyone talked about the people from my community being bad people. I saw there was something good in me but I did not know how to tell the world. I did not want to associate with people’s beliefs that my community is only known for fighting. I was running towards many things and I succeeded,” Loroupe said.

She went on to describe that beyond breaking the norm, she was on a mission to prove to the world that African women could rise to the highest level in athletics. By doing so, she went ahead to become the first African woman to win the New York Marathon, a feat she holds dear up to date.

“I wanted to do something for my country and the African woman and my country and I succeeded. When I went to New York, I won and became the first African woman to break that record. I refused to run from my problems but I wanted people to understand that it is just a societal norm,” she explained.

For Loroupe, being disciplined propelled her to greater heights in her career. She urged the current crop of athletes to listen and heed to advice as they seek to attain the highest levels possible.

“One thing is discipline. If you know your home, you have to fight. Our athletes do not listen to advice. I used to listen to what people told me, and act on it, and it took me to another level,” she concluded.

She currently runs the Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy in Kapenguria, West Pokot which is aimed at enhancing athletic performance through a modernized curriculum and advanced coaching methods for athletics, soccer, basketball, and volleyball.