Mary Moraa: A journey of grit
When Moraa turned to track, it was mainly in the hope that it would lead her family out of poverty.
Raised in Kisii, western Kenya, the future star and her three siblings were orphaned as toddlers and struggled through childhood. The youngsters had to learn how to survive on their own at a very young age.
In addition to walking six kilometres to school, the girl had to work odd jobs to pay for her own expenses and those of her elderly grandparents, who briefly raised them.
That rough start in life made the athlete resilient and determined to make something of herself.
Inspired by great Kenyan champions like Hellen Obiri, who has remained her close mentor, running also became an escape.
“I kept on running, obviously hoping that it could help me change our lives. We struggled a lot, and with my earnings, I can now support my family,” Moraa said in an interview with Olympics.com in Budapest in 2023, where she won her first global title.
“As I am preparing and racing at such big events, I think about a lot of things…my family, my upbringing, which wasn’t easy. But I always appreciate the fact that despite the odds and the tough experiences, I managed to overcome them, and I am out here representing my country.”