Gulzhamal DeFelice

Gulzhamal was born and grew up in the Ural Mountains of Russia, and graduated from Magnitogorsk State University as a teacher of German and English languages. She started running a few years ago, just to be fit, to be able to pass a PT test while serving in the US Army. In May 2015, Gulzhamal completed her first marathon on the Great Wall of China: she loved the whole experience and signed up for the North Pole Marathon to make more beautiful memories to share with family and friends. She subsequently won the 2016 North Pole Marathon and is now dedicating her World Marathon Challenge to Alexander Orlov who founded North Pole ice camp Barneo in 2002 but passed away in 2017. When not running, Gulzhamal enjoys traveling, dancing, hiking, acrobatic yoga. As to her identity: Gulzhamal says she is a Kazakh, who was born and grew up in Russia but lives in the USA now. Kazakh blood, Russian spirit and American independence, she can’t separate these characteristics and they are all part of her.