She’s a long-distance professional athlete. Twenty-five-year-old Tonya Nero—petite at 5’ 2” but powerful in her sport both locally and internationally—recently completed a hat-trick of victories in the 26th Annual Eastern Credit United’s (ECU’s) 15k Granny Luces Classic road race and followed that up only last weekend with a first-place finish in the inaugural West Benn-Diego Martin half marathon. She completely dominated the field (from the Arima Velodrome to the ECU, St Joseph) finishing in 58.31 minutes, well ahead of the second-place finisher. Nero also won the T&T International Half Marathon earlier this year.
She is the national record holder of the 5,000m, 10,000m, Half Marathon and Marathon titles, as well as the NCAA All American 2011 title. She comes from a family of long-distance runners: both parents, three brothers, one sister, grandmother, uncles and an aunt. She says this makes it easier for her—she gets lots of advice and encouragement. Nero has been running since the age of five. Born to run, you might say, she received an athletic scholarship in 2007 to pursue her studies in the United States of America attending, at first, Colby Community College in Kansas, and two years later, Wichita State University in Kansas.
Her list of accomplishments includes: National Record Holder 5,000m—16:01:69 (2011); National Record Holder 10,000m—33:11:71 (2011); National Record Holder Half Marathon—1:15:13 (2012); National Record Holder Marathon—2:43:14 (2012); NCAA All-American Cross Country (2010); T&T Female Road Runner of the Year (2012); T&T Female Road Runner of the Year (2013).
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born at Mt Hope General Hospital and grew up in Maracas, St Joseph. I spent five years in Kansas on an athletic scholarship, then I returned home.
At which schools/educational institutions did you receive your education?
Maracas RC School, Maracas, St Joseph; Asja Girls’ High School, Tunapuna; St Augustine Senior Comprehensive School; Colby Community College, Kansas, USA (Associate of Science Degree in Biology); Wichita State University, Kansas, USA (Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry); and I am currently enrolled at The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of T&T (COSTAATT) in the Pharmacy Assistant Certificate Programme.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Apart from running, I enjoy babysitting, cooking, shopping and doing hair. I enjoy working in the field of science, dealing with and administering medicine where possible, meeting the needs of children, showing the importance of good nutrition and exercise and helping create a better environment.
Tell us about your inspiration to do what you do as a professional long distance athlete.
My inspiration came from, and always comes from, my family. While I was growing up, I would always hear my different family members share their experiences on their running career. They always reminded the younger ones that we were born to be runners. It was very encouraging to hear my mom talk about running long-distance races while she was pregnant and it was even more encouraging when she and my dad took me and three of my siblings out jogging with them from the time we were about five years old. I have always enjoyed it.
What are some of the challenges you face as an athlete?
The biggest challenge I face as an athlete is having to prioritise my life. It takes a lot to be a great athlete but I make sure that other important things in my life are not neglected. Also, being a top athlete, I have to deal with the pressure of performance. I am expected to do well regardless of the circumstances that I face on race day.
What do you consider as your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement was the time I ran 2:43:14 at the Rotterdam (in the Netherlands) Marathon in April 2012. I missed the Olympic qualifying time by 14 seconds. It was great to know that I was in reach of a dream.
Of all your prizes and awards, which do you rate as extremely special?
The T&T Female Road Running Athlete of the Year award is a special award to me because it reminds me of how well I represent my country.
What is your most treasured possession?
My most treasured possession is my body. My body is important as an athlete because if one part is affected, my overall performance is affected. I try as much as possible to take care of myself.
What advice would you give to the young people of T&T?
Don’t wait until life is almost over to realise how precious it is. These days, the younger people are dying out faster than the older ones. We need to search out their God-given talent and make the best out of life. We should work hard so that when we accomplish something, we will know the value of it.
What goals and/or ambitions do you still have?
My main goal is to make it to an Olympic game to run the marathon for T&T. That dream is still alive.
Any tidbits about you that you’d like our readers to know?
One interesting fact about me is that I clean in order to calm my anxiety before a race.
If you had an opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I had an opportunity to meet anyone in the world, it would be Paula Radcliffe. She is the current world record holder for the marathon. I admire how the challenges that she faced in life did not stop her from being a great athlete. She suffered from asthma and anaemia while she took up running at the early age of seven. I am also an asthmatic, so I understand how hard it is to accommodate the lungs during a race. It did not deter her one bit.
Who was your hero growing up outside of your family?
While I was growing up, my hero outside of my family was “Granny” Luces. I admire how she kept on running throughout her life. Not many women can finish a half marathon at the age of 82. Even if she had to walk during a race, she made sure to finish. When I think of her I think of pure love for the sport of long distance running. She has inspired me to keep on running, regardless of my age, just as long as my legs are working.
What daily motto/credo do you live by…your recipe for success?
My daily motto is: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”—Phillipians 4:13. My recipe for success is working hard and believing that my talent was given to me by a powerful God. I do my part and leave the rest up to Him.
Upcoming events and contact info?
For now I will be doing a lot of local races leading up to the UWI International Half Marathon in October. There would also be a few international races in the later part of the year. Email: tonya_nr@yahoo.com.
Describe yourself in two words: one beginning with T, the other with N, your initials.
Tenacious: when I put my mind to something, there is no stopping me.
Nurturing: I enjoy taking care of people, especially children, and seeing others happy.