Maryline Roux Global Woman Photos courtesy of Maryline Roux When Maryline was 6 months old she became very ill and her father took her back to France for treatment. Since her mother’s family were wary of white people, Therese elected to allow Maryline to go to France without her. When Maryline's father died she was just seven years old. Her father’s sister and her husband raised Maryline with their two sons.“I was black and my family was white. They never mentioned my Mom or much about my Dad and how he died. When you grow up without your parents, your identity is missing. It was hard. I had nothing in common with my adopted parents. The only thing that mattered was good grades. I didn't care much for school, but I loved sport. Unfortunately, my adoptive parents did not share my passion." Post a comment. Searching Years later, Maryline met Patrick Roux. Patrick was in France, working for United Airlines. For one year, Patrick and Maryline had a long distance relationship. In 1993, they married in a French chateau, and settled permanently in the United States. Not long after they were married, Patrick began encouraging Maryline to reconnect with her family and uncover her past. Maryline began writing letters to her mother. Since her mother could not read or write, her mother’s sister acted as a conduit. When Maryline reconnected with her mother, she discovered that she had 10 stepbrothers and sisters. With a cousin interpreting Maryline even managed a phone call with her mother. They planned to meet but something always got in the way. With a young family, it was difficult for Maryline to get away. Since Therese did not have a passport, she could not leave the Ivory Coast. Then, in 2004, Therese unexpectedly died. Maryline was devastated; her dream of connecting with her mother was shattered.  Again, it was Patrick who reminded Maryline that her wish wasn’t over. She could still visit Africa to meet her family. So, later that year, Maryline traveled to the Ivory Coast with her childhood friend, Lydia Caillaba. On that trip, Maryline discovered how much she and her mother were alike. For instance, she learned that her mother also loved to dance and to run. A young Maryline Roux “My cousin told me that I sounded just like my Mom; that I had some of her gestures. It meant a lot to me. My siblings and I had the same toes. Wow, I thought, I resemble somebody.”A Special ConnectionMost of Maryline’s siblings were reserved except for her youngest stepsister, 11-year-old Delphine. There was an instant bond between them. “Delphine was missing her two front teeth and had a huge smile. She wouldn’t leave my side and cried when it was time to leave. She wanted to come home with me in my suitcase.” Maryline hopes to adopt Delphine and bring her to the USA. “Now that I’m an American citizen it should be easier. Delphine’s a very smart girl and I want to give her an education and a chance of another life.”
Maryline Roux with Cheyn, Donovan, Tevenn & Patrick Maryline trains in the morning and teaches yoga in the afternoon and early evening. “What I’m doing now is a perfect communion of my passions: running and yoga. I teach 4-5 classes a week at Davidson College and I conduct classes for private students at our home, out of doors. (Editor’s Note: See Maryline's Yoga for Runners.)Maryline is also the founder and owner of Youth Multi-Sport. An organization committed to coaching and training the track and triathlon athletes of tomorrow. "I’m always on the go. I rarely watch TV. It's just my lifestyle. I feel like my training is my work. I feel blessed that I can run at an elite level.” So Many Talents Maryline Roux, 2009 WMA Champs Finland In 2005, Maryline competed in the International Triathlon Union, Honolulu World Championships. Later that same year she finished third in the North Carolina Endurance Development Series for women 30-39. “When I was young, I've always enjoyed competing with the boys. Running was my first love.“ Getting On Track Maryline started sprint training at 39. While visiting her friend Lydia in France, Lydia’s father, Jean Persod encouraged her to begin training as a sprinter. Jean was training for the 2007 World Masters (WMA) Championships in Italy and he felt that Maryline should challenge herself and join him. He said, "I’ll be 75, and you’ll be 40.” So Maryline took up the challenge. She struggled with Achilles tendon problems in that first year. But, she found a great doctor, slept with a boot at night, and, after a year, began to recover from her nagging injuries. At the WMA champs in Italy, Maryline finished 10th in the 400 and Jean made the semis of the 100m. Maryline has since medaled at the USATF National Masters Championships, both indoors and outdoors, earning silver medals outdoors in the 200 and 400m (2008) and a silver medal indoors in the 200m (2009). Post a comment. Soul Sisters  “My best friend in the United States is Lorraine Jasper. We have so much in common. We met at the 2007 WMA Champs in Italy. We were on a bus and heard the song “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang. We both started dancing and laughing. We connected so quickly. It was Lorraine who recruited me for the Athena Track Club, the highlight of my track career.” In March 2009, Maryline and her Athena teammates Jane Brooker, Joan Hunter and Charmaine Roberts set a world indoor record in the 4x400 meter relay in the W40-49 age group. Lorraine Jasper & Maryline Roux Maryline and Lorraine roomed together in Lahti, Finland at this year’s WMA Champs. Unfortunately they both got sick and struggled to race at their best. “Lorraine said she felt my strength in her 800. I could tell from Lorraine’s body language that she could do it. I was yelling and it was as if I was running. I knew she needed my energy. Her bronze medal was the highlight for both of us. It was like winning a medal myself.”  (Editor’s Note: Maryline Roux along with Lorraine Jasper, Shemayne Williams and Lisa Valle brought home the bronze medal for team USA in the W40 4x400m at the 2009 WMA Champs, Finland.)Dreaming Big In 2010 Maryline is planning to return to the Ivory Coast on a mission trip with her church, the Davidson United Methodist Church. While there she hopes to connect with the track community. “My ultimate goal is to compete at the 2012 Olympics running for the Ivory Coast. Maryline Roux passing to Lisa Valle Sharing Her Story Return from Maryline Roux to Women's Stories> Return from Maryline Roux to WomenRunningTogether Post Your CommentDo you have a comment on this story? Share it! Your CommentsClick below to see other comments...
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Maryline has been active all her life. In France she was a gymnast, training and competing at the national level. 
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