Parts of the following story were taken from Lopez Lomong’s book, “Running for My Life.’’ "Running for My Life" is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more. For more information visit http://www.lopezlomong.com
No Big Sky Conference athlete’s story has received as much national attention in recent years than the amazing journey of Lopez Lomong.
A “Lost Boy of Sudan,’’ Lomong rose from near death in Africa to an NCAA national champion at Northern Arizona University, to an American Olympic hero. In 2008, he carried the United States flag at the opening ceremonies in at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Lomong’s incredible story ranks 19th on the list of the “Big Sky Conference’s “50 Greatest Men’s Moments.
Lopez Lomong was born in 1985 in Kimotong, Sudan. At the age of six, during a church service, he was taken at gun-point by armed soldiers. As a young prisoner he endured weeks of harsh captivity and was given only one option – become a child soldier – or try to survive the one-room prison where scores of young boys slept, live, and died from dysentery.
“I saw kids dying every day and I would say, ‘OK, maybe next time it’s going to be me,’’ Lomong told CNN in 2012. “That basically changed my life and from that moment, I’m no longer six years old – I became an adult.’’
One night a small band of the children fled. After three days of running with no provisions, they crossed the Kenyan border and were taken to a crowded refugee camp.
Lomong spent 10 years in the camp in Kakuma, often finding meals from a garbage dump. Soccer was one of Lomong’s only joys in the camp, and his love of ‘futbol’ led to the start of his running career. Before Lomong or any kid could join the soccer match, they were first required to run one lap around the camp. The lap was 30 kilometers – or 18 miles.
For 10 years, day after day, Lomong completed the lap so he could play soccer.
He first learned of the Olympics in the summer of 2000 when he watched American Michael Johnson run on a small black and white TV at a famer’s home. Lomong was enthralled with Johnson, seeing his USA uniform, and his gold medal. Lomong’s dream from that point was to run in the Olympics.
While in the camp, some of the young boys were sent to America, adopted by families through Catholic Charities. Lomong dreamed that one day, he would be selected. In 2001, not long before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Lomong moved to upstate New York with Rob and Barbara Rogers.
Lomong knew little about day-to-day life in America. He spent several nights sleeping with his light on, because he had no idea how to turn it off. One morning, he told Rob Rogers that he’d like to go for a run.
When Lomong told him he wanted to run about 30 kilometers, Rogers called the local high school track coach Jim Paccia, to ask him how far that was. Before he went on the run, he also put on running shoes for the first time in his life.
Soon, Lomong was a standout for the Tulley High School cross country team. The first time he competed in an official meet, he thought he needed to beat the golf cart, which was leading the runners on the course. His coach had to explain to him he was competing not against the golf cart, but other runners.
Lomong competed in the prestigious Foot Locker Cross Country Championship, and then enrolled at Norfolk State University. He transferred to Northern Arizona University because training in the high altitude of Flagstaff would help prepare him to become a world-class athlete.
While at Northern Arizona, Lomong won the 3,000 meters at the 2007 NCAA indoor championship. He also won the 1,500 meters at the 2007 NCAA outdoor championship. This was on top of the numerous Big Sky Championships he won.
But Lomong had even bigger goals, and that was the 2008 Summer Olympics. But before Lomong could run for the USA he had to become a citizen. On July 4, 2007 he did just that.
Lomong had his fist set back two weeks before the Olympic trials. While running strides at the Air Force Academy track, something popped in the back of his right leg. He pulled his hamstring. He needed two months of rest, but only had two weeks.
At the Olympic trials he entered in both the 800 meters and the 1,500 meters. He decided to run the 800 meters just to test his leg. But his coach knew his best chance of making the Olympic team was in the 1,500.
He ran the 800 meters and made it to the finals. Everyone thought he was crazy for running two events. He ran the final and ended up finishing fifth, not good enough to make the Olympic team.
His second set back came just 10 minutes before the finals of the 1,500. He was in the field stretching from side to side when they made the first call for the 1,500. He made his way to report to the starting line, but he twisted his ankle.
Lomong was able to work thought the pain, finished third and punched his ticket to the Olympics.
While in Beijing, Lomong learned that he was selected by the other American athletes to carry the flag at the opening ceremony, which ended up being one of the most-watched events in television history.
"It's more than a dream," Lomong said in an interview with The Associated Press moments after he got the news. "I keep saying, I'm not sure if this is true or not true. I'm making the team and now I'm the first guy coming to the stadium and the whole world will be watching me carry the flag. There are no words to describe it."
Lomong competed for the United States in 2008 and 2012 in the Olympics but did not medal. He doesn’t even consider his Olympic moments the best of his young life.
That came on Dec. 16, 2011 when he earned his degree from Northern Arizona University.
“Winning a gold medal in London will not feel better than the weight of that folder in my hand,’’ Lomong wrote in his book. “I floated on across the stage, shaking hands with the other faculty members. Even though I knew my real degree was not yet in the folder, I instinctively kissed it. Then I held it up toward heaven, just as I hold up my arms after winning a big race. This was bigger than any race I’d ever run.’’
At 27 years old, Lomong is entering the prime of his career for a world-class distance runner. He is sponsored by Nike, and lives and trains in Oregon. He has his sights set on competing in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. In November, Lomong attended the Big Sky soccer championship in Hillsboro, Ore., to root on his Lumberjacks.