US-based long distance runner Hiruni Wijayaratne is poised to become the next biggest Sri Lankan athletic star on the world stage after Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe going by the celebrity status accorded to her when she arrived in the island to participate in the 97th National Athletics Championships held at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The first Sri Lankan to qualify for next month’s IAAF World Athletic Championship, running in the 5000 and 10,000 metre events has served as a perfect preparation for her to compete in the marathon in Doha, Qatar where the humid conditions will be similar.
A multiple Sri Lankan record holder in track events, the dual Sri Lanka-American citizen has her roots firmly grounded in her country of birth despite being based in Boulder, Colorado where she works for technology company.
It was a dream come true for the 28-year-old when she achieved the golden double of becoming National champion in the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races and is looking forward to represent Sri Lanka in the South Asian Games in December.
A former student of St. Bridget’s Convent, Hiruni’s greatest influence in her career has been her father Puni Wijayaratne, an athlete of no mean repute during his time at Royal College. Armed with a Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor’s in Marketing, she has pursued her passion for running after dabbling in football and gymnastics when her family immigrated to the US.
“I am a few minutes away from the Olympic qualifying standards (in marathon),” says Hiruni who achieved a personal best (PB) of 2:34:10 and a silver medal at the Dusseldorf Marathon.
She came close to her PB at the Nationals but her focus is the marathon inspired by her success in breaking the Sri Lanka record of 2:47 in the very first marathon she ran in the US by clocking 2:43 in 2014. She renwed the Sri Lankan marathon record clocking 2:36:35 during the 2018 Cheveron Houston Marathon.
In a heart-warming interview with the Daily News, Hiruni spoke about her sporting ambitions, focus in life, her preparations for the World Championship and her dream of keeping Sri Lanka’s flag flying high on the international stage.
Following are excerpts:
Q: How do you feel running for the first time in Sri Lanka?
A: Running in home soil is a big honour for me. That’s why I spent my own money to come here, to participate in these selection trials because it was very important for me as a Sri Lankan athlete to compete in Sri Lanka.
Q: How was the conditions?
A: For me these conditions are a little bit difficult to be honest. This humidity is something (you can see I am sweating so much) that is difficult for me.
Q: What was your objective here?
A: My first target was to get selected to the SAF (South Asian) Games. The second target was to win a National championship and so after today’s race I have won two National championships and got two selections for the SAF Games.
Q: Tell us about the beginnings of your career?
A: I began running athletics at St. Bridget’s Convent when I was eight years old and then when my family immigrated to the US, I continued sports …. I played football, gymnastics and continued my running and then once I graduated from the University, I decided to try marathon running which is where I really found my success. And that’s when I got the attention of the National Selection committee here (Sri Lanka).
Q: Why did you choose marathon which is not a glamorous sport?
A: Marathon running is a very hard sport and not very many people have the passion or commitment to get the training even and so when they come to the race they are not prepared. But I love running and I love when other people are running. I love being fit, love spreading that message to the world. And that’s why the marathon running sport has been a perfect fit for me.
Q: Who are the biggest influences in your career?
A: My parents. My father (Punu Wijayaratne) was a sportsman at Royal College and he was the first one who got me started in the sport. And my parents have supported me every step of the way. My mother was not an athlete but she is a very good supporter.
Q:Your idol?
A: I don’t really have one person. But I like people who have continued to have success for a long time in their lives. So I look up to several marathon runners, women that have continued to have children and have continued to perform well and get PBs (personal bests).
Q: How has your preparations for the World Championships been?
A: It has been very good. I came here to Sri Lanka not only to qualify and get selected, but I also wanted to feel this kind of weather conditions. So I think my preparations has gone very well.
Q: How was the competition and how do you plan a race?
A: I did have competition in 5,000. Nilanthi Ratnayake is a very good athlete and she did great. I think she got a cramp at the end of the race. But my preparation has always been to focus on myself. Because if I can focus on myself, then I can do my best here in the event. I can’t control the weather or what my competitors do. So I only focus on my game plan.
I race against myself and I prepare myself for many scenarios and so today when Nilani went, I was prepared for that scenario. If she did not go to the front, then I was also ready to push the pace.
I go for records when a championship is not on the line because I could have gone for the record and then also have a cramp right. And then that’s not very good.
So I want to race smart when it counts.
Q: How do you enjoy the celebrity status?
A: I am not used to this but I think it’s great, but I also feel there are really good athletes in Sri Lanka as well. I know it’s special for them because I come from America but I hope some of these athletes here can get some recognition because they do work hard as well.
Q: Where is your training base?
A: I am based in Colorado but my coach Peter Sherry is based just outside Washington DC. We have been working together since I was 15 years old.
Q: Are you the next biggest star in Sri Lanka?
A: If that is the case, I want to tell the people of Sri Lanka that I will do my best every single opportunity I am given and I will be never let them down. I will always give it a good fight. Win or lose I will do my best to keep our flag flying high.
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