At the Kassel Marathon in Germany on the 18th September 2016, Mariama T Jallow broke a new national record.
The 22-year-old took 4th in 2.44.59 cementing her place as The Gambia's best ever female marathoner.
"I am very happy with my new record," said Mariama, who works as a police officer with the Gambia Police Force.
She added: “My hard work is being rewarded and with this time I can qualify for the world championship Marathon 2017 in London. I want to become faster, better and continue what I started. But this can only happen with the help of new sponsors."
Shortly before her appearance in Germany, Mariama was in East Africa to train with some of the world's fastest marathoners. This was made possible with the help of a Dutch charity, Kinderhulp Gambia.