Tegla Loroupe: Iconic athletics legend, peace envoy wins K.V. Switzer award

Kenya’s renowned athletics icon, Tegla Loroupe, has added to her growing list of accolades and honors after she was awarded the Inaugural K.V. Switzer Global Connector Award on the eve of the New York City Marathon.

Other winners were Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who bagged the Pioneer Award presented by Team Milk Every Woman’s Marathon, and Molly Barker (Community Impact Award presented by Adidas).

“Tegla’s uniting and impactful work through her foundation embodies what this award represents, with her ability to bring people together across borders as a global advocate for peace, women’s rights, and education,” read the citation note for the award, which was presented by Beyond Finance, the largest debt consolidation company in the United States.

“This legendary long-distance runner, the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon, came from humble beginnings to create the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation and Peace Academy to promote education, coexistence, and conflict resolution through sport.

“Her annual Peace Race has united warriors, leaders, and communities in African nations with thousands disarming for peace.”

In her acceptance speech, Tegla moved the audience when she narrated the story of how she came to conquer New York and the world.

“When I first came to run in New York, I was a nobody. But I had the courage to do it. Winning New York opened many doors for me, but most importantly, it gave me the courage and for women in my community to talk about peace,” she said, acknowledging the support she received from Kathrine Switzer, whose non-profit organized the awards.

Strength and courage

“I know you (Kathrine) were waiting for me to come to the press conference, but no one had told me I was supposed to come to the press conference because I was nobody.”

She moved the audience with the story of her sister, who had died just three days before the 1995 New York City Marathon race, yet she braved the grief to win the race.

“They wanted me to go back home because they thought I would not have the strength and courage to run,” she said.

“But then I told Katherine. You know what? I will do it! She has died and left behind six children. I need this money so that I can take care of them.”

The United States Global Peace Ambassador also spoke about her advocacy for refugees to be given an opportunity to participate in international sports competitions.

“Because of the courage that sports has given me, I was able to approach my government and ask for support. And for the first time, we got the refugees in Rio (Olympic Games) in 2016.”

Tegla is a decorated global icon with a rich legacy of peace through sports initiatives under the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, which organizes peace marathons and has also the Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy and an orphanage for children in Kapenguria in her native West Pokot County in Kenya.

The K.V. Switzer Awards are organized by 261 Fearless to recognize three extraordinary individuals who have gone beyond sport to change lives. The awards are named after women’s running icon and 261 Fearless co-founder Kathrine Switzer.

Astonishing women winners

“It is an exceptional honor to have an award named after me, and I am grateful and will always be thankful to the 261 Fearless team who surprised me with the honor,” she said.

“The important thing in life is to pass on help and appreciation to others so they can also make positive change.

“Today, we announce three astonishing women winners of this inaugural award who have done just that. All of them have triumphed by turning their own adversities into positive, world-changing programs.

“As I get older, it has been a particular joy for me to watch them over the years emerge from hard-working girls into world-class women and finally to creative and compassionate leaders who make thousands of lives better forever.”

261 Fearless was co-founded by Kathrine Switzer and Edith Zuschmann in 2015 as a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and uniting women globally through running and education.

The nonprofit empowers women through running and education programs.