This Super Mom Ran a 800-Meter Race While She Was 8 Months Pregnant

Sacramento, CA — In 2014, Alysia Montano was 8 months pregnant with her first child when she decided to compete in an 800-meter race. Remarkably, she victoriously finished the race in 2 minutes, 32.13 seconds. Then, she did it again in 2017 at the USATF Outdoor Championships when she was 5 months pregnant with her second child. This time, she finished in 2 minutes, 21.40 seconds, managing to beat her previous record. Definitely a super mom, she wanted to inspire other mothers with her unique accomplishments!

“There is something about coming out to any venue not really expecting to win but going along with the journey and seeing what comes out of it,” Alysia said in an interview with the United States Olympic Committee. “It is the most beautiful part about me being a track and field athlete with the platform I have, I feel so responsible to be a representative for people who don’t have a safe platform or voice that I do.”

Although it was her second time to show people that pregnant women can run without harming themselves or their child, many are still skeptical about the idea.

“It’s still a conversation that needs to be had. I represent so many different people: women, Black women, pregnant women. It’s my responsibility to make sure I’m a voice and an advocate for them,” she said.

Moreover, many doctors confirm that anything that a woman used to do before getting pregnant is safe to do while she’s pregnant. And because Alysia has been running ever since, she’s safe to run even when she’s pregnant, but with extra care.

“Running is mine and always will be mine,” she said. “It’s about my journey and the power that I get from it.”

Follow Alysia Montano on Instagram @AlysiaMontano