Ethiopian long-distance runner Ejegayehu Dibaba, hailing from the high-altitude Arsi Zone in the Oromia Region, joyfully celebrated her son’s birthday. Among six siblings, she is the third child. Her younger sisters, Tirunesh and Genzebe, have also made a name for themselves as international long-distance athletes, while her brother Dejene is seen as a promising future talent. In a family steeped in athletic excellence, her cousin Derartu Tulu stands out as a double Olympic gold medalist.
Ejegayehu’s remarkable achievements include securing a silver medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2004 Summer Olympics, triumphing over her cousin. Her prowess also earned her two bronze medals at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, where her sister clinched gold in a thrilling final sprint.
Notable moments in her career include participating in the Memorial Peppe Greco’s 7 km race in September 2010, where she claimed second place behind Sylvia Kibet. Furthermore, Ejegayehu made her much-anticipated marathon debut at the 2011 Chicago Marathon. Her performance was nothing short of impressive, as she outpaced Kayoko Fukushi by 2 minutes and 29 seconds, finishing with a remarkable debut time of 2:22:09. This achievement secured her the third fastest debut time in marathon history, solidifying her victory in her maiden marathon endeavor.
Ejegayehu Dibaba stands at a height of 1.60 meters and maintains a weight of 46 kilograms. Her dedication and accomplishments in the world of long-distance running continue to inspire and captivate.
