254. Samia Akbar, Fastest U.S.-Born Black Female Marathoner
Ali on the Run Show
Ali Feller
4.9 • 4.2K Ratings
🗓️ 25 June 2020
⏱️ 87 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
"He made an assumption that I didn't speak English and that's why he didn't speak to me. I remember feeling so hurt. Things like that happened to me all the time, being the first and only to do a lot of these distance events on the road racing circuit. And I feel like it was so hurtful. We are the epitome of the American Dream."
A few weeks ago, Peyton Thomas was on the Ali on the Run Show. We talked about Peyton being the fourth-fastest U.S.-born Black female marathoner, which prompted the question: Who's the fastest? That person is Samia Akbar. In 2006, Samia ran a 2:34 at the New York City Marathon, finishing 12th and earning the aforementioned title, which still stands. On this episode, Samia shares her running story, including how her dad instilled in her a love for running, how she went to American University on a full running scholarship, and how she spent seven years as a professional runner sponsored by Reebok. Today, Samia lives in Virginia and is a Global Marketing Manager for New Balance.
Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.
What you'll get on this episode:
- Samia explains why she lives in Virginia but works in Boston (3:40)
- How Samia became a runner (9:00)
- On being competitive (21:35)
- What it means to "take up space," and how Samia learned to do that (22:45)
- How Samia decided to become a professional runner (33:50)
- Why Samia decided to run a marathon (45:20)
- On being the fastest U.S.-born Black female marathoner (52:30)
What we mention on this episode:
Peyton Thomas on Episode 244 of the Ali on the Run Show
"A Conversation with Samia Akbar" via Fast Women
"The Undeniable Power of Sport" International Women's Day panel via Hurdle podcast
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Aftershocks. |
| 0:04.6 | Go to ontherun.aftershocks.com to say 15% on all wireless headphones. |
| 0:14.8 | Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. I'm your host Alley Feller and every week I talk with |
| 0:19.6 | inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond. And while running is the thing |
| 0:25.0 | that brings us all together on these episodes, we cover more than what happens on the run. |
| 0:29.7 | We learn the wise behind the runs, the decisions people have made to get where they are today, |
| 0:34.8 | and how getting sweaty has factored in. Now a few weeks ago on The Alley on the Run Show, |
| 0:40.4 | we heard from Peyton Thomas, the two 42 marathoner who qualified for the Olympic trials during |
| 0:46.0 | her marathon debut. On that episode, we talked about Peyton being the fourth fastest American born |
| 0:52.5 | black female marathoner. That distinction prompted a great conversation in The Alley on the Run Show |
| 0:58.4 | Facebook group. If Peyton was fourth, who came before her? Today, I am thrilled and honored |
| 1:06.5 | to welcome the fastest American born black female marathoner to The Alley on the Run Show. |
| 1:13.6 | Samia Akbar. Samia earned that title by running a 234 at the 2006 New York City Marathon where she |
| 1:21.3 | also finished in 12th place. She's an incredibly accomplished runner. She went to American University |
| 1:27.3 | on full scholarship and after running there, she spent seven years competing as a professional |
| 1:32.2 | runner sponsored by Reebok. Today, she's a marketing manager for New Balance and I loved hearing her |
| 1:37.9 | reflect on both her running story and her professional career. Samia and I talked for nearly two hours |
| 1:44.3 | and I'm keeping this episode long. I hope it motivates you to stay out for a nice long walk or run |
| 1:50.2 | or break it up into a few different runs, but whatever you do, listen all the way to the end |
| 1:55.0 | because some of the best stuff came in those last 20 minutes or so. Samia is an absolute icon. |
| 2:01.9 | I knew of her before this conversation, but after two hours of talking, I was in full fan girl mode. |
| 2:08.1 | I think you will be too. We get into pretty much everything in this one, so please join me in |
... |
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