This natural runner caught the eye of the public not only because she ran a marathon well into her 3rd trimester, but also because she was the only runner wearing a head covering and a long skirt.
Beatie Deutsch is an Orthodox Jew. But for her, running isn’t separate from her religious beliefs, it’s sustained by it. “Our role in the world is to take the raw material God has given us and to use it to the fullest. I have a talent for running,” she explains. “G-d gave me these strengths and talents. My motto is: believe in the impossible, give all you have and ask G-d for His assistance.”
Even when she trains, Beatie maintains her modest attire: her necklines cover her
collarbone, her sleeves cover her elbows, and her skirts cover her knees. As a married woman, she always runs in a headscarf that covers her hair. She feels empowered by the idea that female athletes don’t have to expose their bodies to win championships. “I’m proud that I can still pursue my dreams without sacrificing my values,” she says.
“There are a lot of messages out there telling runners to look and dress a certain way,
but it doesn’t have to be all about how your body looks when you run.”