The passion, dedication, and skills of famous Ethiopian marathon runners ensure the country’s legacy of world-class distance running continues well into the future.
Ethiopian marathon runners have significantly impacted the global athletic stage, repeatedly breaking records and setting new benchmarks in international competitions. Beginning with Wami Biratu’s unstoppable career and Abebe Bikila‘s historic victory in the 1960 Summer Olympics, these athletes have showcased Ethiopians’ exceptional talent and endurance in long-distance running.
Following the footsteps of these legends, many Ethiopian marathon runners have risen to prominence over the years, including Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele. Their success can be partially attributed to the high-altitude conditions in Ethiopia, which many believe contributes to their extraordinary stamina.
These runners have become global ambassadors for Ethiopia, proudly representing their country across the world and leaving behind a legacy woven with sweat, dedication, and unparalleled skill.
If you are wondering how long do I need to train for a marathon, we’ve got it covered.
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Celebrated Male Runners
1. Abebe Bikila
Affectionately known as the “barefoot runner,” Abebe Bikila won the gold medal for Ethiopia at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, setting a new world record in the process. Bikila’s victory was monumental not only as the first Black African Olympic gold medalist but also because he set a world record while running barefoot. Throughout his career, Bikila participated in 13 marathons and won 12.
2. Haile Gebrselassie
Another icon in Ethiopian running is Haile Gebrselassie, considered one of the greatest long-distance runners in history. He’s a three-time Dubai Marathon winner. The athlete won the Berlin Marathon four times and finished first in the 2001 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.
With an astounding 27 world records and 61 Ethiopian national records under his belt, Gebrselassie’s impressive career in long-distance, road, and track running has left a lasting impact on the sport.
3. Kenenisa Bekele
One athlete who deserves a special mention is Kenenisa Bekele, a long-distance runner who held the world record and Olympic record in the 5000m and 10,000m events until 2020. Bekele is also a two-time Berlin Marathon winner and won the 2020 London Half Marathon.
4. Wami Biratu
Wami Biratu is often referred to as the grandfather of Ethiopian distance running. His accomplishments set the stage for future generations of marathon runners like Abebe Bikila.
Throughout his career, he is believed to have won 30 gold medals, 40 silver medals, and ten bronze. Biratu’s legacy continues to inspire Ethiopian athletes to strive for success at the highest level.
Remarkable Female Runners
5. Derartu Tulu
Derartu Tulu is an Ethiopian long-distance runner known for her incredible accomplishments on the track. She rose to fame by becoming the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000m event at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Tulu’s amazing feats didn’t end there; she nabbed a second gold medal in the 10,000m event at the 2000 Sydney Games.
In 2001, she came first in the London Marathon and the Tokyo International Women’s Marathon before going on to win the 2009 New York Marathon.
6. Meseret Defar
Meseret Defar is another exceptional Ethiopian long-distance runner known for her impressive accomplishments on the track. She won the 2013 women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon.
Defar has two Olympic gold medals in the women’s 5,000m event, which she won at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. In 2020 she was presented with the AIMS Inspirational Woman Award, solidifying her place as one of the greats in the long-distance running world.
7. Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba is another Ethiopian Olympian and marathon runner. In 2008, she made history as the first female to win the 5,000m and 10,000m in the same Games adding more prestige to Ethiopia’s running legacy.
If that’s not impressive enough, she became the youngest female World Champion in 2003 at the age of 18. She also won the 2017 Boston Marathon.
Prominent Young Talents
8. Degitu Azimeraw
Degitu Azimeraw is turning heads with her impressive performances; born in 1999, Azimeraw has already shattered the course record at the 2019 Amsterdam Marathon, finishing her debut in an impressive time of 2:19:26. This outstanding result indicates that she’s sure to become a major force in marathon running.
9. Letesenbet Gidey
Another rising star is Letesenbet Gidey. Gidey’s impressive achievements include breaking the world record for the 10,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well as the 2021 World Half Marathon record. She also set a new 5,000m record at the 2020 NN Valencia World Record Day.
10. Yalemzerf Yehualaw
Yalemzerf Yehualaw is quickly becoming a dominant force in half marathon events and already has a world record under her belt, having beaten the women’s 10km road world time at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja.
Despite falling during the race, she famously became the youngest woman to win the London Marathon in 2022. Yehualaw has also won the Great Ethiopian Run, the Delhi Half Marathon, and the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, among others.
If you’d like to venture into the running world, check out our marathon running quotes for some inspiration.
This article was researched with the help of OpenAI and fact-checked and edited by our human editor.
