Brenda Martinez

Brenda’s passion for running began at age 5 when her parents enrolled her in an after-school track club. Her desire to excel manifested itself in area youth meets and at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Her recruitment to run for UCR began a series of firsts for Brenda. She became the first in her family to go to a university, she led the cross country team to its first Big West title, she was the first runner to represent UCR in the Division I Track and Field Championships and she became the University’s first NCAA Division I All-American. In her Highlander career, she shattered the UCR record books by setting records in the 800, 1,500, 3000 and 5,000 meters and she was the first woman in Big West conference history to win the 1,500 all four years. On the international stage in 2013, Brenda became the first American woman to medal in the 800 meters at the world championships. In 2016, she earned a spot on the 2016 Olympic team with a dramatic closing kick in the 1,500 meters race. In Rio, she made it all the way to the qualifying 1,500-meter semifinals where she ran a 4:10.41.

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