Contents
Tegla Loroupe
Becoming the first African woman to hold the marathon world record.
New York victory · Half-marathon treble
- Born
- 9 May 1973
- Birthplace
- Kapsait, Kenya
More people
Tegla Loroupe
Tegla Loroupe is a Kenyan distance runner who won major marathons and later built peace and refugee-sport initiatives.
Early life
Rural childhood
Grew up tending cattle and helping her family in West Pokot.
School running
Ran long distances to school and began winning races against older pupils.
Career
- 1988–1993
International beginnings
A cross-country victory helped her gain support and enter world junior competition.
- 1994–2000
Marathon champion
Won New York twice and set marathon world records.
- 2003 onward
Sport and peace
Developed peace races and later helped organise the Olympic refugee team.
Achievements
New York victory
Became the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon.
Half-marathon treble
Won three consecutive world championships.
Marathon world record
Set a new world best in Rotterdam.
Beyond athletics
Peace foundation
Organised races bringing together communities affected by conflict.
Refugee team
Served as chef de mission for the first Refugee Olympic Team in 2016.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Barcex. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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