Alysia Montaño Wins 800 Meter Race After Giving Birth Less Than a Year Ago.

Alysia Montano
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport)


Star runner and Olympian Alysia Montaño made headlines back in 2014, when she competed in an 800-meter race while 34 weeks pregnant. Though she finished last, her story struck a cord with many and rapidly circulated throughout social media.

“I wanted my [unborn] daughter to know [someday] that it’s not all about winning. It’s about doing your best,” she stated.

Montaño, who gave birth to a healthy baby girl in August of 2014, and trained throughout her pregnancy, won a 600-meter race just 6 months after the birth of her daughter.

Now, less than a year later, and while still breastfeeding, Alysia Montaño has claimed her sixth national title at the USATF Outdoor Championships Eugene, Oregon.

“Amazing,” Montaño said of her unexpected win. “I’ve had a couple of ups and downs with my post-partum journey, but I knew that I’d be able to make it back with a national championship. I didn’t know it would happen this soon.”

She crossed the finish line sporting a signature flower in her hair and celebrated her victory with her 10 1/2 month old daughter, Linnea.

This latest win now ties Montaño with legendary athlete Madeline Manning, for most wins in the USA Outdoor competition.