WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
The AIgorythm project
Playwright and actor
Novelist
Writer and poet
Volleyball player
Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer
Singer and percussionist
Last Inca emperor
Politician, former prime Minister
Journalist and TV host
Poet
Inca warrior
Actor and comedian
Biophysicist
Poet
Doctor and researcher
Businessman, Interbank group
Journalist and writer
Poet and writer
Singer and songwriter
Writer
Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner
Football player
Writer and journalist
Doctor and scientist
Photograph
Chess player
Industrialist
Former general
Specialist in public health
Actress and singer
Afro-Peruvian music singer
Mathematician and engineer
Indigenous chronicler
Neurologist and anthropologist
Painter
Football player
National hero, military leader
Intellectual and reformer
Chef and entrepreneur
Fashion designer
Singer-songwriter
TV presenter
Marathon runner
Indigenous Peruvian chronicler
Theologian
Former national team captain
Economist and former health minister
Inca princess
Writer and television host
Folk musician
Poet and guerrilla
Former UN secretary-general
Chef, known for fusion cuisine
Football player
Peruvian aviation pioneer
Poet and artist
Marxist philosopher and writer
Industrialist and businessman
Novelist and ethnologist
Painter and muralist
Opera tenor
Fashion designer
Cardinal of Lima
Peruvian tennis player
Football coach
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Military hero
War of the Pacific hero
The youngest mother in history
Politician
Creole music singer
Tennis player
Musician
Writer and politician
Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party
Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
Archaeologist and anthropologist
Military leader and politician
Television host
Actress and singer
Contemporary sculptor
Women’s rights activist
Beauty queen
Astrophysicist
Heroine of independence
Mathematician and archaeologist
Historian and anthropologist
Military figure and historical figure
Fashion photographer
Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician
Revolutionary leader
Environmental activist
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Musician from Gaia band
War hero
Military leader and politician
Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine
Volleyball coach and former player
Environmental activist
Television personality
Writer
Football player
Epidemiologist and former health Minister
Inventor and aerospace pioneer
Soldier and inventor
Rock singer
Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant
Painter
Football player
TV presenter and actress
Actor
Writer and historian
Journalist and lawyer
Archaeologist, founder of Caral site
Monk and Saint
Saint, patron of Latin America
Physicist and engineer
World champion surfer
Actress
Oncologist
Singer, Latin Grammy winner
Former mayor of Lima
Singer
Actress
Former football player
Painter
Former football player
Painter
Inca leader
Archbishop, saint
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Revolutionary indigenous leader
Diplomat and intellectual
Sculptor and painter
Political leader, founder of APRA
Lawyer and Former prime minister
Chef of Central restaurant
Former head of secret services
Popular singer
Fashion designer
Exotic music singer
Gladys Lucy Tejeda Pucuhuaranga, born on September 30, 1985, in Jauja, Junín region, is one of Peru’s greatest athletes and an iconic figure in South American athletics. A marathon specialist, she has represented her country in numerous international competitions, winning several important medals, including at the Pan American Games and Bolivarian Games. Tejeda has become a symbol of perseverance and success for Peru, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, it is possible to triumph in one of the most demanding disciplines in athletics.
Gladys Tejeda grew up in the small town of Jauja, located at more than 3,400 meters above sea level in the Andean region of Peru. From an early age, she showed a passion for running, crossing the mountains in her region to attend school. Her early experiences in long-distance running were initially motivated by practical reasons, but they quickly revealed her incredible endurance and physical resilience.
Encouraged by her family, Tejeda began participating in local competitions, where she quickly outperformed her rivals. Realizing her potential, she decided to pursue athletics seriously and moved to Lima to join a training center dedicated to nurturing young sporting talents in Peru. Under the guidance of her coaches, she honed her running technique and specialized in long-distance and marathon events, a discipline that is both physically and mentally demanding.
Gladys Tejeda started to make a name for herself on the international scene by participating in various regional and continental competitions. In 2011, she won the gold medal at the Bolivarian Games, confirming her status as one of the best marathon runners in Latin America. This victory marked the beginning of a successful career, filled with achievements in long-distance events.
A year later, Tejeda represented Peru at the 2012 London Olympics, a significant milestone in her career. Although she did not win a medal, her participation in this prestigious event reinforced her determination to improve and reach new heights. It was also an opportunity for her to compete against the world’s best runners and gain valuable experience on the international stage.
The most defining moment of Gladys Tejeda’s career came with her victory at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. In this competition, she won the gold medal in the marathon with an impressive time of 2h33m03s, setting a new Pan American Games record. This success was a source of great pride for Peru, a country not traditionally known for excelling in continental athletics competitions.
However, shortly after this victory, Tejeda was disqualified due to a positive doping test. This setback marked a difficult period in her career, but she did not give up. Instead of letting it break her spirit, she used the experience as motivation to come back stronger. She worked tirelessly to rebuild her reputation and prove that she belonged among the world’s best marathon runners.
Following her disqualification, Gladys Tejeda made an impressive comeback. In 2019, at the Pan American Games in Lima, she once again proved her talent by winning the gold medal in the marathon. This victory, without controversy this time, was particularly emotional for Tejeda, as she competed in front of her home crowd. She completed the race in 2h30m55s, setting a new personal record and becoming the first Peruvian woman to win gold at the Pan American Games held in her own country.
This triumph marked Tejeda’s return to the international stage and cemented her status as a Peruvian sports legend. The victory also had a profound impact on Peru, inspiring many young athletes and boosting the nation’s interest in athletics.
Gladys Tejeda is a model of perseverance and resilience. Despite the challenges she has faced throughout her career, including injuries and controversies, she has always shown an ability to overcome obstacles and return stronger. Her success is the result of an unwavering work ethic and total dedication to her sport.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Tejeda is also known for her humility and commitment to her community. She has never forgotten her humble origins and continues to be involved in projects promoting sports and education in rural areas of Peru. She is often invited to sporting events and conferences to share her experiences and encourage the next generation of Peruvian athletes.
Despite her many successes, Gladys Tejeda shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to set new goals and prepares for upcoming international competitions, including the Olympics and major marathons worldwide. Tejeda is determined to continue her quest for success and proudly represent her country.
She has also expressed her desire to contribute to the development of athletics in Peru. As an experienced athlete, she hopes to use her knowledge and experience to train the next generation of Peruvian runners. Her ambition is to see more young Peruvians excel in long-distance and marathon events on both national and international stages.
Gladys Tejeda is much more than just an athlete. She is a symbol of determination, courage, and perseverance, representing what it truly means to be a champion. Her journey, from the mountains of Jauja to the podiums of international competitions, is a source of inspiration not only for Peruvians but for sports enthusiasts worldwide.
With her memorable victories, personal records, and triumphant return after difficult moments, Tejeda embodies resilience and a passion for sport. As she continues to compete and reach new heights, there is no doubt that her name will remain etched in the history of Peruvian sports for generations to come.