Montano Runs 800m While 34 Weeks Pregnant
At 34 weeks pregnant, four-time defending U.S. 800m champion Alysia Montano competed on Thursday.
Alysia Montano stole the show at the USATF Outdoor Championships on Thursday, as she ran the 800-meter race while 34 weeks pregnant.
The 28-year-old from Canyon Country, Calif. received a standing ovation from the crowd after finishing the two-lap race in 2:32:13—dead last, but respectable for someone who is about to have a baby.
“More than anything I wanted to be here, and feeling that fire, to be on the track and to race,” Montano said. “What a better avenue than to do it at USA Nationals. I have a qualifying time as USA champion; I feel like I deserve to be here.”
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Montano was the four-time defending champion in the event. She said her doctors and midwives gave her the go-ahead to run, which she kept a secret until her name appeared on the start list.
“I didn’t want to be judged, and have any ill things said about me,” Montano said. “I just wanted to do what my heart and my desire wanted to do.”