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Leelamma Frank Alphonso (Born 23rd May 1969) is an Indian Long-Distance Runner. She is the Former National Record Holder in the 5000mtrs, 10000mtrs and the Half Marathon. She Specializes in Long Distance in which she held Records. She has Represented India Internationally since 1990s in 1500mtrs, 3000mtrs, 5000mtrs, 10000mtrs, Cross Country, Road Relays, Half Marathon, and the Full Marathon. She has Won over 12 International Medals for India. After Dominating Track and Field Long Distance Running at the All India Open National Level for a period of more than 10 years she Retired from Track and Field and took up to running Full Marathons when she became a Mother of 2 children. She is the only Indian to have Won Four Full Marathons in a single Calendar year. Till date she is the only Elite Professional Athlete of her time to still have competed and been the winner of National half and Full marathons for a period of more than 26 years. She competed in the Veterans Category Since 2008 to 2018 and Remained the undispuited Winner at all Major National Marathons in the Veteran Category.

== Early Life == Leelamma Frank Alphonso then Leelamma Lukose Paniker was born on 23rd May in Kundra Village of Kollam District of Kerala. She was born into family of 5 siblings and lost her father at the young age of 7. She became the Bread winner to her Widowed Mother and her siblings through her running achievements ever since. She took up to running at her school MJD High School in Kollam Kundra. She was selected by the NCC Department of Palakkad Kollam district when they noticed her talent for Racing in Cross Country trials. She was Awarded at the age of 11 by PM Indira Gandhi for being the Best Candidate in Juniors of NCC at the Republic day Parade in 1980. She received her call letter from the Western Railways when she was 17 and was coached by the Indian Railways Long Distance Champion and Coach Mr Frank Alphonso under whose training she dominated Indian long Distance Running and held Records in the Same. She is Married to Mr Frank Alphonso and the couple have children Elana Alphonso and Florence Alphonso. Leelamma Frank Alphonso then Leelamma Lukose Paniker was born on 23rd May in Kundra Village of Kollam District of Kerala. She was born into family of 5 siblings and lost her father at the young age of 7. She became the Bread winner to her Widowed Mother and her siblings through her running achievements ever since. She took up to running at her school MJD High School in Kollam Kundra. She was selected by the NCC Department of Palakkad Kollam district when they noticed her talent for Racing in Cross Country trials. She was Awarded at the age of 11 by PM Indira Gandhi for being the Best Candidate in Juniors of NCC at the Republic day Parade in 1980. She received her call letter from the Western Railways when she was 17 and was coached by the Indian Railways Long Distance Champion and Coach Mr Frank Alphonso under whose training she dominated Indian long Distance Running and held Records in the Same. She is Married to Mr Frank Alphonso and the couple have children Elana Alphonso and Florence Alphonso

== Career      == Leelamma Alphonso began her career in Track and Field as a Long-distance Runner. She ran 1500mtrs, 3000mtrs, 5000mtrs, 10000mtrs, Cross Country, Road Relays and Half Marathon for a period of more than 10 years which was from 1988 to 1997. Within this period, she Set the National Record in 5000m, 10000m and the Half Marathon. She was Employed by the Indian Railways she also held the Indian Railway Record in 3000mtrs, 5000mtrs and 10000mtrs. She Retired from Track and Field after her Marriage at the end of 1996. She took a Break from 1997 to 1999 and started racing in Full Marathons after becoming a Mother of two Children. She was a Veteran Racing in the Elite Women’s Category. She made a Hattrick in the Indira Gandhi Allahabad Half Marathon, Rath Half Marathon, and the Thane Varsha Mayor Half Marathon. She has to her credit that she is the only Indian to have Won Four Full Marathons in a Single Calendar year in the Elite Open Category. A feat she achieved as a Veteran and Mother. She was about to make a Hattrick in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon in 42km Elite Women’s Category in 2007 but she suffered a Hairline Facture on her hip a week before the race and dropped out of it. During her Long Track and Field Career the Following are her Achievements at the International and National Level from years 1990 to 2007.

Awards
She is the winner of the Prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Award given by the state of Maharashtra

Winner of the Railway Board award for Excellence in Athletics

Winner of the Western Railway General Manager Award for Excellence in Athletics