Marla Runyan

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameMarla Lee•Runyan (-Lonergan)
Used nameMarla•Runyan
Born4 January 1969 in Santa Maria, California (USA)
Measurements170 cm / 60 kg
AffiliationsNike, Beaverton (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Being legally blind (due to Stargardt’s disease), runner Marla Runyan initially focussed on competing in events for visually impaired athletes. She was highly successful, winning three sprint events and the long jump at the 1992 Paralympics, while also competing in cycling. She added a fifth title at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, winning the pentathlon and a silver in the shot put. But Runyan also aspired to compete in the Olympics, and had tried to qualify for the heptathlon at the US Olympic Trials, placing 10th. Her good 800 m in that competition convinced her to switch to middle distance running. This switch proved a good choice, and in 1999 Runyan won the 1500 m at the Pan American Games, and reached the World Championship final in the same event. She repeated that performance in Sydney, placing 8th in the Olympic final. She then turned her attention to long distance running, eventually competing in the 2004 Olympic 5 km, and placing 4th in the 2002 New York Marathon.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 4:02.95 (2002); 5000 – 14:59.20 (2004).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
2000 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Marla Runyan
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 8
2004 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Marla Runyan
5,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 9 h1 r1/2

Special Notes