Tears on the Track: Dorcus Ewoi’s Heart-Wrenching Confession – “I Hated Running, But It Saved Me”

In the electrifying world of elite athletics, where every stride echoes triumph and every finish line promises glory, few stories grip the heart quite like that of Dorcus Ewoi. Just weeks after clinching a stunning silver medal in the women’s 1500m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the Kenyan middle-distance sensation has bared her soul in an emotional outpouring that’s rippling through the sports community. With tears streaming down her face during a raw, unfiltered interview, Ewoi confessed, “I don’t want to keep it a secret anymore. Please forgive me – I hated running.” Her words, delivered in a voice trembling with vulnerability, have ignited a firestorm of empathy, support, and inspiration online, reminding us that behind the medals and the miles lie deeply human struggles.

Picture this: a young girl from the dusty plains of Kitale, Kenya, born into a family of nine siblings as one of the Turkana people from the arid north. Dorcus Ewoi, now 29, grew up in a world far removed from the polished tracks of global stadiums. At St. Francis Girls High School, running wasn’t a passion – it was a mandate. “My teachers saw potential in me during school sports days,” she recalled in her tearful revelation, her voice cracking as she wiped her eyes. “They forced me to join the team. I dreaded every practice. My legs ached, my lungs burned, and all I wanted was to hide in the classroom with a book.” For years, Ewoi vowed silently to herself: I’ll never be an athlete. This isn’t for me. The pressure to perform, the endless drills under the relentless Kenyan sun – it all felt like a cage, not a calling.

Yet, life has a funny way of lacing pain with purpose. In 2018, Ewoi left Kenya for the United States, chasing dreams of education at South Plains College in Texas. There, on the sprawling college tracks, running became her reluctant ticket to opportunity. “I needed a scholarship to study,” she admitted, her confession unfolding like a long-held breath finally released. “Athletics was the only way. I pushed through the hate because it meant books, a degree in clinical research, and a chance to build something for my family.” From NJCAA champion in the mile and 1500m to a standout at Campbell University, where she clocked a blistering 2:02.13 in the 800m to finish fifth at the 2023 NCAA Championships, Ewoi’s trajectory was meteoric – but only she knew the emotional toll. Turning pro with Puma in 2023, she shifted to the 1500m on her coach’s advice, a strategic pivot that would catapult her to the world stage. “They told me, ‘800m is risky; 1500m gets you to finals faster.’ I wasn’t dreaming of medals then – just survival.”

Fast-forward to September 16, 2025, in Tokyo’s National Stadium, where the air hummed with anticipation. The women’s 1500m final was billed as Faith Kipyegon’s show – the Kenyan legend gunning for a record fourth world title. But in the shadows of Kipyegon’s dominance, Ewoi unleashed something extraordinary. As the gun cracked, the pack surged, and Kipyegon dictated the pace like a maestro. Ewoi, tucked in the chase, felt the familiar dread bubble up. “Mid-race, I thought, ‘Why am I here? I hate this,'” she later shared, her breakdown painting a vivid picture of that inner turmoil. But then, a beacon: Kipyegon, spotting her compatriot faltering, glanced back and gestured urgently – Come on, close the gap! That simple act of sisterhood ignited Ewoi’s fire. Digging deep in the final lap, she surged past Australia’s Jessica Hull, crossing the line in 3:52.02 for silver – her first major international medal, and Kenya’s second in the event.

The moment she collapsed to the track, sobbing not just from exhaustion but from a flood of suppressed emotions, the world saw a glimpse of the real Dorcus. Kipyegon, fresh off her gold, rushed to embrace her, whispering encouragement that echoed their semi-final bond. “Faith didn’t just race; she mentored me without words,” Ewoi said, her voice swelling with gratitude. Back in Nairobi, President William Ruto honored the team at State House, but for Ewoi, the true celebration came in unburdening her truth. “I’ve carried this secret for so long – the hate, the doubt, the fear I’d fail and let everyone down. But winning that silver? It healed something broken in me.”

Ewoi’s confession has struck a chord far beyond athletics. Social media exploded with #ForgiveMeDorcus, as fans from Nairobi to New York shared their own stories of forced passions turning into profound purpose. “You’re not alone – I hated coding until it changed my life,” tweeted one tech entrepreneur. Kenyan celebrities and fellow athletes piled on the love: “That smile after the tears? Pure magic,” gushed a fan, while Kipyegon herself posted a heartfelt video: “Proud of you, sis. Running chooses us sometimes, but we choose to keep going.” Mental health advocates hailed her bravery, noting how elite sports often gloss over the psychological grind. In a field dominated by tales of innate talent, Ewoi’s narrative flips the script: perseverance isn’t always pretty; it’s forged in the fire of reluctance.

Today, as Ewoi reflects from her base in Kasarani Stadium’s Stadion Hotel – clad in her signature black denim jacket, radiating a quiet glow – she’s vowed to redefine her relationship with the track. “I don’t hate it anymore. It’s part of me now, scars and all.” Her journey from a Kitale girl who loathed laps to a world silver medalist isn’t just a sports story; it’s a testament to resilience, the quiet power of vulnerability, and how even the most unwilling steps can lead to extraordinary destinations. In an era where athletes are idols, Ewoi reminds us they’re human first – flawed, feeling, and fiercely real. As support swells across the athletics world, one thing’s clear: Dorcus Ewoi’s tears have watered seeds of hope for countless others chasing their own reluctant dreams.