Alysia Montano ran the 800 metres at the US Track and Field Championships yesterday, despite being 34 weeks pregnant.

ESPN reports that the five-time national champ was over the finish line in just 2 minutes, 32.13 seconds in the qualifying rounds, only seven weeks before she's due to give birth to her first child.

The 28-year-old former University of California star may have finished last in her heat but the crowd at Hornet Stadium were behind her all the way. Montano received a rousing ovation as she finished her first lap despite being nearly 120 metres behind the rest of the pack for most of the race.

'I've been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process,' Montano said. 'I just didn't want to get lapped and be the first person to get lapped in the 800.'

Having won 800 national titles the past four years, Montano was never in trouble of being lapped. She began at a relaxed pace which she maintained throughout.

That was according to the plan Montano laid out after consulting with her physician. Not only did doctors give Montano the OK to run, they encouraged her.

'That took away any fear of what the outside world might think about a woman running during her pregnancy,' Montano said.

'What I found out mostly was that exercising during pregnancy is actually much better for the mom and the baby...I did all the things I normally do...I just happened to be pregnant. This is my normal this year.'