Tuliamuk’s transformation leads to success
Coming off two injuries this past year, many would call renowned distance runner Aliphine Tuliamuk’s recent success a comeback.
As she trains for a return to the Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20-kilometer road race on Labor Day — she won it in 2016 and took second in 2017 — Tuliamuk calls it more of a transformation with her recent marriage and a daughter.
In 2021, Tuliamuk ran in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics but had to drop out after about 20 kilometers due to a hip injury. In February, while on a training run during icy conditions, she slipped, fell and suffered a severe concussion.
She returned to competition this spring with solid results. She won the USATF 25K Championship on May 14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1:23:19. She beat elite runner Keira D’Amato, who was second in 1:24:04. She followed that up with a win in the Bolder Boulder 10K pro race in 32:58 on May 30.
On June 11 at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K she was fourth in 31:08. Now, she is a co-favorite to win the New Haven 20K along with elite runner Emily Sisson, who committed to run New Haven on Friday. Sisson was second to Tuliamuk in the 2016 New Haven 20K.
“I think that my mindset has evolved,” Tuliamuk said. “I realize that I won’t be an athlete forever. Something like an injury or accident can change things quicker than I would’ve imagined when I was a younger athlete.
“It’s a comeback year in the sense that I am now fully postpartum and back to a normal schedule. But my life has changed a lot, so, it’s more of a transformative year than a comeback year.”
Her focus now is on the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6, her first marathon since the Tokyo Olympics. This is where the New Haven 20K comes into play.
“My coach (Ben Rosario) and I like to include a few races within our marathon training cycle,” Tuliamuk said. “This keeps things interesting and also provides a barometer on fitness and allows us to scratch the competitive itch.
“New Haven fits perfectly on the calendar and it’s very reassuring to return to a familiar race where we’re treated nicely.”
Rosario said Tuliamuk is fit and ready to run.
“It is safe to say she is completely recovered from the injury she suffered at the Olympic Games and from the concussion earlier this year,” Rosario said. “In fact, I would go so far as to say she’s better than she’s ever been. I expect her to run very well at New Haven, and then even better in New York when she’ll be in peak form.”
When it comes to Tuliamuk’s ability and success, Rosario believes there are a number of things that separate her from her competitors.
“Number one is natural talent,” Rosario said. “She finished ninth at the World Junior Cross Country Championships when she was just 15 years old. You can’t do that without an immense amount of talent.
“And then there is her mental strength, her drive to win once the gun goes off and her ability to handle a tremendous amount of pain. When you add that to her physical talent you have the recipe for a true champion. That’s Aliphine. She’s as physically and mentally tough as they come.”
Tuliamuk typically puts things in perspective and views her Olympic experience as more of a motivation than a disappointment.
“Making the Olympic team fulfilled a lifelong goal,” Tuliamuk said. “Sharing the Olympic Games with my daughter and husband was an unexpected gift. The race didn’t go my way but that was due to an injury that came at the wrong time. The spring racing season was a good one for me and I certainly hope to carry that momentum to New York City and beyond.
“There are a lot of special things about New Haven. The great competition, the community support, the crowds along the way, the bands, the pizza, and most of all the continued support of American distance running.”
New Haven 20K race officials now look at Sisson and Tuliamek as the clearcut favorites in the women’s field.
“I feel healthy, and I always go into a race to compete for the win,” Tuliamuk said. “It’s always great to be talked about before the race, but it’s even better to be talked about after the race.
“New Haven always has a great field. I hear they have more elites this year than their usual field size. Everyone wants to win a USA championship.”