Brenda Martinez '10

Brenda Martinez ’10 is COMMUNITY. She is one of our 40 Under 40 2022 recipients and the 2019 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient. Martinez won a silver medal in the 800 meters at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow in 2013, becoming the first U.S. woman to medal in the race. In 2016, Martinez qualified for the U.S. Olympic team competing in the 1500 meters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, reaching the semi- finals. She created a camp in Big Bear, where young girls who don’t have the money to go to large track and field camps can go to get training. She is a part of the Riverside Sports Hall of Fame.

Sound Bites

Headlines

Creating a Space for Young Athletes to Thrive and Belong

Hooks

From UCR athlete to Olympian and World Champion and now mentor, Brenda Martinez '10 has made her 5-year-old self proud.

Quotes

[when discussing her girls running camp] “I appreciate my life more because of them.” – Brenda Martinez ’10
“My purpose is mentoring athletes. I was put on earth to do that.” – Brenda Martinez ’10

Narrative

From UCR athlete to Olympian and World Champion and now mentor, Brenda Martinez ’10 has made her 5-year-old self proud. She loved to run, and it was what she was meant to do. Growing up, her family couldn’t afford send her to camps to improve her times or technique like most of her friends were able to do. But at the time, that was ok. Her dedication and heart for the sport led her to get a full scholarship to UCR to run on the Track and Field team. Here at UCR she thrived and remains present on the record boards of UCR, having achieved the National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American award three times and many other records for the Big West.

Her time at UCR led to bigger and better things as she went on to win a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championship, the first American woman to medal in this event. This then led her to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics to represent team USA.

But that wasn’t the end of her career. As she continued her love of running, she found a new purpose. Creating a summer running camp for local girls in Big Bear, CA. Her commitment to give back to the community and allow girls, like her, an opportunity to feel like they belong and train alongside her. Her coaches enforced the idea that you can do it, and she wants to pass along the same to the girls she now gets to help train. Martinez is setting the prime example of what it is to be a Highlander in the community and be an example to young girls and athletes.

Martinez was honored as one of UC Riverside’s 40 Under 40 in 2022 and the 2019 Outstanding Young Alumnae award for UCR. Her outstanding accomplishments have also provided her the honor of being a part of the Riverside Sports Hall of Fame.

Strategy

Her story and quotes are best used in:

Magazine Feature
Brochures
Social Media
Alumni Spotlights
Newsletters

Suggestions:

When featuring an alumna in a publication, newsletter, or social post. Highlighting a notable alumnae to prospective students, current students, and alumni.
When promoting UCR athletics.
When promoting first gen alumnae who give back to the community.