by Deji Ogeyingbo
Marta Pen Freitas Running Through Triumph, Loss, and the Fight of Her Life
Marta Pen Freitas has always been driven by ambition. A middle-distance runner from Portugal, she has spent years chasing the pinnacle of her sport, turning setbacks into stepping stones. From winning an NCAA national title to representing her country at the Olympics, her career has seen her show a lot of perseverance.
Her journey to the international stage began with a bold decision. Nearly finished with a physiotherapy degree in Portugal, she chose to move to the United States to compete in the NCAA. Mississippi State became her second home, a place where she would redefine her limits. The transition wasn’t easy, but Freitas was clear about her goals. She wanted to become a national champion and an Olympian, and she achieved both within two years.
Freitas runs the 1500 meters—a grueling middle-distance event requiring both speed and endurance. In 2016, she won the NCAA championship in dramatic fashion, erasing the disappointment of a fall in the 2015 final. That victory cemented her reputation as one of the best collegiate runners in the country. Later that summer, she represented Portugal in the Rio Olympics, achieving a dream that had once seemed distant. Mississippi State had given her more than a platform for athletic success; it had shaped her into a resilient competitor and a leader.
Beyond the track, she carried personal grief that fueled her competitive fire. Her father, a central figure in her running career, passed away from a heart attack while she was racing in Lisbon. She had expected to hear his voice calling out her split times, but instead, she crossed the finish line to an unthinkable tragedy. In his memory, she had his signature tattooed on her wrist, kissing it after every race. It became a symbol of endurance, a quiet but powerful ritual that kept him with her on every stride.
As her NCAA eligibility ended, she transitioned into professional running, competing for Portugal while continuing her education at Mississippi State. She trained with Brooks Beasts, an elite track club in Seattle, where she prepared for her next Olympic appearance. The journey wasn’t without its obstacles—injuries, grueling training camps, and the constant pursuit of the perfect race. But she remained steadfast, proving her ability to compete at the highest level.
Then, in 2024, her world shifted. While at an altitude training camp in New Mexico, she discovered a lump in her chest. The initial shock turned into quiet resolve as she navigated a battery of tests, ultimately receiving a diagnosis of stage I, triple-positive breast cancer. It was highly treatable, but it meant surgery, radiation, and medication for the foreseeable future. In the face of uncertainty, she made a bold decision—she would continue training for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Freitas approached cancer treatment the way she had approached competition: with discipline, resilience, and an unyielding belief in her own strength. She underwent a lumpectomy in Portugal before returning to Seattle for radiation. Throughout it all, she never lost sight of her goal. While many might have paused their careers, she refused to let cancer define her season. If anything, it strengthened her resolve. She acknowledged the possibility that she might not make it to Paris, but in her mind, the outcome was never fully in her control. Athletes chase dreams knowing they might fall short. The beauty is in the pursuit, in setting ambitious goals and committing to the journey, regardless of the result.
As 2025 unfolds, Freitas continues to push forward with the same determination that has defined her career. With her cancer treatment behind her, she has shifted her full focus back to competition, targeting a place on Portugal’s team for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year. Her early-season performances show promising signs, clocking 4:10.11 in the 1500m and 2:02.71 in the 800m indoors—indicating she is regaining her racing sharpness.
Her schedule in the coming months will be crucial in determining her chances of making the Portuguese team. She plans to compete in key European meets, building toward the national trials where she hopes to secure her spot for Tokyo. Whether or not she makes it to the World Championships, her journey this season has already been a victory.
