Kim Pawelek Brantly (born January 20, 1974) is a Vietnamese-American middle- and long-distance runner. She is the woman's 1999 US Marathon Champion.

Early life

When Kim Pawelek Brantly was one year old, her family boarded a plane at the Saigon airport to escape the troubles of the Vietnam War. Shortly after their takeoff, further evacuation came to a halt due to the Bombing of Tan Son Nhut Air Base.[1] After arriving in the United States, Pawelek's family began a new life in Baltimore, then moved to Thorp, Wisconsin, where Pawelek's mother attended elementary school with her daughters. Later, the family moved to Port Charlotte, Florida, when Pawelek was a preteen.[2] When she was 14, Pawelek's father Alan and mother Linda Nguyen separated. Eventually, Nguyen wanted to move Pawelek and her sister Mary to Texas, but Pawelek refused. Despite initial disagreement, Nguyen decided to allow Pawelek to remain in Florida. Pawelek attended high school and college in Florida, where her running career began.[1][2]

Running career

Kim Pawelek Brantly began running long distance during her senior year at Port Charlotte High School.[3] The very first time Pawelek raced, she came in last. Originally a sprint runner, Pawelek began long distance running to train for soccer.[4] As a senior at the University of North Florida, Pawelek won NCAA Division II titles in the 5K run and 10K run.[5] Pawelek went on after college to continue training for and running marathons, with many wins and finishes within the top 10 racers. Pawelek's most notable success was her 1999 Twin Cities Marathon win, which was the woman's 1999 USA Marathon Championships. The fast competition pushed her to her fastest marathon time of 2:37:56.[4] As Pawelek continued to train for marathons, she also had her sights set on trying for the Olympics. Pawelek participated in the 2000 Trials, and finished in 7th place,[6] netting her $13,000 in prize money.[7]

Personal life

Pawelek is married to Keith Brantly, a former professional long-distance runner.[1]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
1999 Summer Universiade Half Marathon Palma de Mallorca, Spain 5th Half marathon 1:15:47[8]
1999 Twin Cities Marathon Minneapolis–Saint Paul 1st Marathon 2:37:56[9]
2000 US Olympic Marathon Trials Columbia, South Carolina 7th Marathon 2:39:16[7]
2000 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Orlando, Florida 1st Half-marathon 1:15:19[10]
2001 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Orlando, Florida 1st Half marathon 1:16:46[10]
2002 IAAF World Half Marathon Championship Brussels, Belgium 54th Half marathon 1:17:30[11]
2004 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Orlando, Florida 1st Half marathon 1:18:12[10]
2004 Jacksonville Half Marathon Jacksonville, Florida 1st Half marathon 1:22:59[12]
2006 Jacksonville Marathon Jacksonville, Florida 1st Marathon 2:56:04[13]
2008 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Orlando, Florida 1st Half marathon 1:18:07[10]
2006 Jacksonville Marathon Jacksonville, Florida 1st Marathon 2:41:30[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c Chavez, Karen (October 8, 2004). "Long-Distance Athlete Hopes to Take the Money and Run: Arden's Pawelek Supports Self Through Her Sport – And Looks to Win Big in the Future". Asheville Citizen – Times.
  2. ^ a b Longman, Jere (February 26, 2000). "Olympics; Without Mom's Blessing, A Marathoner Drives On". The New York Times. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  3. ^ Orazi, Deborah (January 11, 2000). "Coach, Student make Marks: Kim Pawelek and Bethany Morse Compete Against Each Other at Many Races". Sarasota Herald Tribune.
  4. ^ a b Rand, Michael (October 4, 1999). "Twin Cities Marathon Surprise! Marathon Novice Wins Women's Race". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, MN.
  5. ^ Coffey, Wayne (October 30, 2001). "She Comes A Long Way to Run a Marathon". Daily News. New York.
  6. ^ Johnson, David (December 12, 2003). "Fast? Only if She Has to Be: Pawelek Plans to Pace Herself Sunday to Prepare for Olympics". Florida Times Union.
  7. ^ a b "2008 USA Women's Olympic Trials Marathon – Complete History 1984–2008". Marathon Guide. New York City: Web Marketing Associates (WMA). 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  8. ^ Results Archived May 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b "ARRS – Runner: Kim Brantly Pawelek". Association of Road Racing Statisticians.
  10. ^ a b c d "Marathon and Half Marathon All-Time Records". Disney Sports News. Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Disney. January 1, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  11. ^ IAAF WORLD HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS – KAVARNA 2012 – FACTS & FIGURES – Incorporating the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships (1992-2005/2008-2010) & the IAAF World Road Running Championships 2006/2007 (PDF), IAAF, retrieved September 1, 2013
  12. ^ "Jacksonville Marathon: Run – 13.1Mil Results". Athlinks.com. Athlinks. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  13. ^ "Jacksonville Marathon Results". Athlinks.com. Athlinks. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
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