Marla Runyan | The First Legally Blind Person to Earn a Spot on the U.S. Olympic Team

Marla Runyan

The First Legally Blind Person to Earn a Spot on the U.S. Olympic Team

Featured Topics
Fee Range
$10,000
Travels From
Eugene, Oregon, United States

Marla Runyan
Biography

Marla Runyon placed third in the qualifying trials for the Women's 1500 meters earning a spot on the 2000 U.S. Olympic team - the first time a legally blind person has ever accomplished such a feat. Diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease as a child, Marla has been legally blind for 20 years; but she refuses to consider her blindness a handicap. "It is not a factor or an excuse for a bad race," she says. Marla Runyan's performance in the Olympics stands as a testimony to what can be achieved through determination and hard work.

She claims she never dreamed she could go this far. She was studying to be a special education teacher when she received her first professional contract back in 1999. But 35-year-old Marla Runyan is considered to be one of the greatest success stories in U.S. running. Not only has she overcome a visual impairment; she impressively moved from sprints and the heptathlon to middle distances.

Now, Marla competes on both the track and the road, shining in races from the 1,500m to the marathon: Her accomplishments include being a three-time USA Outdoor 5,000m champion (2001-2003), finishing as the top American woman in the marathon in New York (2002), and running a 14:59.20 in the 5,000 earlier this year.

Marla Runyan lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her husband and coach Matt Lonergan.

Get more details and availability

Marla Runyan

Give us some basic details about you and your upcoming event, and one of our experts will be in touch with you quickly regarding pricing and availability.
Event Details
Your Details
Cancel
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.