“I Am Not 100 Percent”: Defending Champion of Olympic Marathon Trials, Aliphine Tuliamuk Opens Up About the Race

Four years have passed since Aliphine Tuliamuk’s historic victory at the Olympic Marathon Trials in Tokyo 2020. She clinched her spot as the first Black woman to win the event and secured a place on the Olympic team. However, life has taken a transformative turn for 11-time U.S. champion Aliphine Tuliamuk. With the postponement of the Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuliamuk seized the opportunity to fulfil another aspiration – motherhood. In January 2021, she welcomed her daughter Zoe. Astonishingly, she returned to competitive running just seven months later, participating in the Olympic marathon while still breastfeeding.

Despite facing a setback in that marathon in 2021, withdrawing due to a hip injury in Sapporo, north of Tokyo, Tuliamuk rebounded with vigour. She not only achieved personal best in both the half marathon and marathon but also secured a remarkable top-ten finish at the 2022 New York City Marathon. However, as she re-enters the Olympic marathon Trials this year, she has just unveiled a newfound perspective and insight.

Aliphine Tuliamuk’s Candid Reflection on the Olympic Marathon Trials

In a recent interview with Fast Women, Aliphine Tuliamuk opened up about her mixed emotions as she approached the Olympic Marathon Trials. She candidly acknowledged experiencing both excitement and nervousness, emphasizing, ‘I am not 100 percent on the flight to be.’ However, she expressed finding relief in this realization, as it alleviates some pressure. Aliphine took note of four women in incredible shape, and her strategy was to keep up with them and observe how things unfold.

Addressing her honesty, Aliphine expressed a reluctance to claim 100 per cent readiness when it’s not the case. She emphasized her straightforward nature, stating that she wouldn’t want to make excuses and prefers people to be aware of the reality. Reflecting on the decision-making process, she highlighted the importance of acknowledging the work put into her preparation for the trials.

However, others joining her are Emily Sisson, Keira D’Amato, Betsy Saina, Des Linden, and Sara Hall are also part of this group. They will compete for the three coveted spots designated for U.S. women in the Paris Olympics. However, Tuliamuk defines the richness of her Kenyan culture with her simplicity.

Gratitude, resilience and the riches of the Kenyan spirit

As Aliphine Tuliamuk approaches the 2024 U.S Olympic Marathon Trials with a newfound perspective, she emphasises gratitude for her support system—family, coaches, team and sponsors in an interview with NBC. Her journey, marked by a commitment to family and a desire to set an example for her daughter, contrasts with her last Olympic cycle, highlighting personal growth, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the opportunities afforded by her American dream.

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However, raised in Kenya, Tuliamuk draws strength from her humble upbringing, where community, storytelling, and simplicity shaped her resilience. She challenges misconceptions about African wealth, emphasizing the richness of community and connection in her homeland. The Kenyan culture instilled in her a sense of pride, community support, and the understanding that true wealth extends beyond material possessions.

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