Running important part of Nukuri-Johnson's life

CEDAR RAPIDS - Running has played a special role in Diane Nukuri-Johnson's life.

The sport actually is the cornerstone on which most of her current life was built. Her love for running provided the motivation to leave her native country of Burundi during time of civil war to chase her dreams, an education and a brighter future.

Nukuri-Johnson's passion for running will on display Monday when she competes in the Alliant Fifth Season 8K race in Cedar Rapids.

"To me, running is the reason why I'm here and why I left home," the 26-year-old Nukuri-Johnson said. "It's definitely given me a better life."

Nukuri-Johnson was one of eight children in her family living in war-torn Burundi, where she wasn't spared from the violence. Her dad was victim to the turmoil. She also witnessed the killing of an Army officer. It prompted her to seek refuge with a cousin in Canada in 2001, leaving her Burundi track teammates while there for a competition.

"My dad passed away when I was really young," Nukuri-Johnson said. "I went to Canada just to get a better life."

The path eventually led to the University of Iowa, but not before a stop at Butler Community College. While she completed her last three years of high school in Pickering, Ontario, UI track coach Layne Anderson recruited her. Nukuri-Johnson didn't speak English well, so Anderson suggested she attend a community college. After two years there, Nukuri-Johnson reached Iowa City, where she met her husband, Alex Johnson, who is from Cedar Rapids.

"He's more than my coach," said Nukuri-Johnson, who graduated from UI in 2008 but still calls Iowa City home and continues to train under Anderson. "I didn't really even know where Iowa was so I came here because of him.

"It turned out to be a good place."

Nukuri-Johnson ran track for the Hawkeyes, but had plenty of success before leaving home. She competed in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, running in the 5,000 meters. Nukuri-Johnson was just 15 and now she has hopes of representing her native country during the 2012 Olympics in London.

This time, however, her training is focused on the marathon. She has seen her hard work pay dividends over the last few years while participating in marathons, half-marathons, 5K, 8K and 10K races. They could prepare her for an even better 2012.

"I think with the races I'm doing now I'm getting more confident," Nukuri-Johnson said. "Honestly, I'm having a lot better year than I did the last three years."

Success stems from a deep passion for running, which Nukuri-Johnson said is necessary. It isn't easy to devote yourself to a sport that is physically taxing and demands participants to train in sub-zero temperatures and scorching hot and muggy conditions.

"It's hard, but I don't even notice," Nukuri-Johnson said. "To me, it's not work. It's fun."

First-year Elite Athlete Coordinator Ryan Scheckel said Nukuri-Johnson should be in contention Monday. She has a recorded 5K time of 15 minutes, 59 seconds.

"She's been running as well as anybody," Scheckel said about her recent results.

Nukuri-Johnson is coming off winning the Steamboat Classic 4-mile run in Peoria, Ill., last weekend. She said she has been running well and gaining confidence.

"I've been having a really good couple months," Nukuri-Johnson said.  "It's been good."

Better than the last time she ran in the Fifth Season race. She is healthier now than in 2009 and is excited to compete close to home.

"When I ran I was kind of hurt," Nukuri-Johnson said. "I had a knee injury. It was still a good race but obviously I'm in better condition than I was."

Whether that means good enough condition to win is still unknown. Nukuri-Johnson is familiar with the field and predicts that it will produce a highly competitive race. Even if she doesn't break the tape, she will be satisfied with a good time, improving on her previous strong performances this year.

"I want to go out there and have the best race out there, but there will be others wanting to win," Nukuri-Johnson said. "I've been having a successful year so hopefully that continues."