Azmeraw Bekele
Azmeraw Bekele Molalign (born 22 January 1986) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in road running and cross country running competitions.
He first came to prominence in 2010, which began with a successful cross country season. Representing the Federal Prisons team, he won at the Sululta Cross Country,[1] set a race record of 1:00:57 hours at the Marrakech Half Marathon.[2] and then took a surprise victory at the Jan Meda Cross Country, which served as the national selection event for the 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.[3] At the world event he finished in 21st position, helping the Ethiopian men's team (including Gebregziabher Gebremariam, Abera Kuma and Hunegnaw Mesfin) to the bronze medal.[4]
Later that season, he switched his focus to road events and won the Corrida de Langueux 10K in 28:13 minutes (the second-fastest ever on the course).[5] He won the national 30 km championships at the end of October and secured the Great Ethiopian Run 10K title a month later.[6][7] He returned to France the following week and made his marathon debut, finishing as runner-up at the Marathon De La Rochelle with a time of 2:10:25 hours.[8] He began his 2011 season on the roads, just missing out on a win at the City-Pier-City Loop behind compatriot Lelisa Desisa, although he set a personal best time of 59:39 minutes for the half marathon.[9] He was also the runner-up at the Prague Half Marathon three weeks later.[10]
He claimed his first national title on the track at the 40th Ethiopian Athletics Championships, defeating Dino Sefer in the 10,000 metres.[11]
Personal bests
- 10K - 27:43 minutes (2010)
- Half marathon - 59:39 minutes (2011)
- Marathon - 2:10:25 hours (2010)
References
- ^ Negash, Elshadai & Assefa, Tadele (2010-01-24). Jelila continues winning streak, unknown Jida takes shock men’s title - Sululta Cross Country. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ Benchrif, Mohammed (2010-02-01). Ethiopian sweep at Marrakech Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ Negash, Elshadai & Wagaw, Bizuayehu (2010-02-21). Melkamu and unheralded A. Bekele take Ethiopian World XC trials titles. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ 2010 World Cross Country Championships Official Team Results Senior Race - Men. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ Vazel, Pierre-Jean (2010-06-28). A. Bekele and Wangary take Langueux 10Km titles. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ Negash, Elshadai & Wagaw, Bizuayehu (2010-11-01). Mohammed and Bekele take Ethiopian 30km titles. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ Negash, Elshadai & Wagaw, Bizuayehu (2010-11-22). Utura and A. Bekele take Great Ethiopian Run 10km titles in Addis Ababa. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ November 2010 AIMS Results. Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ van Hemert, Wim (2011-03-14). Desisa and Chepcirchir take fast Half Marathon wins in The Hague. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-17.
- ^ Butcher, Pat (2011-04-02). Limo and Cheromei shatter course records at Prague Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-04-02.
- ^ Negash, Elshadai (2011-05-05). Bekele impresses with 10,000m victory in Addis Ababa – Ethiopian Champs, Day 1. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-05-05.