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Runyan, Marla
- 2001, 2002 U.S. Outdoor 5000m champion
- 2000 U.S. Indoor 3000m champion
- 2000 Olympian, eighth in 1500m
- 1999 Pan Am Games champion
- American record-holder, Indoor 5000m
- Diagnosed with Stargardt's disease at age nine, a degenerative disorder that is the most common cause of blindness in the U.S.
- Became an international star in 2000 as the first-ever Paralympian to compete in the Olympic Games
- Predicted and delivered an American indoor record in the 5000m in 2001
- Set numerous Paralympic records on the track and in the field in 1996
- Competed in the heptathlon at San Diego State
- Has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education of the Deaf and a Masters in Education of Deaf-Blind Children
- Twice nationally ranked in the top-10 in the heptathlon
- Engaged to Matt Lonergan, a marathon runner
- Co-wrote and released her autobiography “No Finish Line: My Life As I See It” in 2001
- Enjoys going to the movies and playing with her golden retriever, Summer
- Enjoys listening to music, especially Matchbox Twenty, Counting Crows and Eric Clapton
- Official website is www.marlarunyan.com
From the time she was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease, Runyan refused to allow it to rule her life. "I think even today I still majorly downplay my vision," she said. That resolve allowed her to reach heights few thought she could achieve. “It made a lot of things possible in my life that would not have been possible if I had put limitations on myself." Runyan says running is its own reward, not the glory of winning. “You have to love the process. You're talking about hundreds of miles of work and then a race that takes four minutes. You can't base everything on that one race. You can't postpone self-approval or happiness, or you're going to be disappointed.” While legally blind, she can see a little. “I have some peripheral vision, and I can see the track right in front of me,” she said. “People just have to tell me whether I win or lose!”
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Height: 5' 7
Born: 1/4/1969
Hometown: Camarillo, Calif.
Resides: Eugene, Ore.
Sport: Track & Field
Event: 1500m, 5000m
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