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Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisabekele1.jpg
Kenenisa in 2012
Personal information
Full name Kenenisa Bekele Beyecha
Nationality Ethiopian
Born (1982-06-13) 13 June 1982 (age 43)
near Bekoji, Arsi Province, Socialist Ethiopia
Height 165 cm
Weight 56 kg
Sport
Country Ethiopia
Sport Track, Long-distance running
Event(s) 5000 metres, 10,000 metres, Marathon
Team Anta Sports
NN Running Team (past)
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Ethiopia
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 3 1 0
World Championships 5 0 1
World Indoor Championships 1 0 0
African Championships 2 0 0
All-African Games 2 0 0
World Cross Country Championships 11 1 0
World Marathon Majors 2 2 2
Total 26 4 2
Olympic Games
Gold 2004 Athens 10,000 m
Gold 2008 Beijing 5000 m
Gold 2008 Beijing 10,000 m
Silver 2004 Athens 5000 m
World Championships
Gold 2003 Paris 10,000 m
Gold 2005 Helsinki 10,000 m
Gold 2007 Osaka 10,000 m
Gold 2009 Berlin 5000 m
Gold 2009 Berlin 10,000 m
Bronze 2003 Paris 5000 m
World Indoor Championships
Gold 2006 Moscow 3000 m
African Championships
Gold 2006 Bambous 5000 m
Gold 2008 Addis Ababa 5000 m
All-Africa Games
Gold 2003 Abuja 5000 m
World Cross Country Championships
Gold 2002 Dublin Long race
Gold 2002 Dublin Short race
Gold 2003 Lausanne Long race
Gold 2003 Lausanne Short race
Gold 2004 Brussels Long race
Gold 2004 Brussels Short race
Gold 2005 Saint-Galmier Long race
Gold 2005 Saint-Galmier Short race
Gold 2006 Fukuoka Long race
Gold 2006 Fukuoka Short race
Gold 2008 Edinburgh Long race
Silver 2001 Ostend Short race
World Marathon Majors
Gold 2016 Berlin Marathon
Gold 2019 Berlin Marathon
Silver 2017 London Marathon
Silver 2024 London Marathon
Bronze 2016 London Marathon
Bronze 2021 Berlin Marathon

Kenenisa Bekele Beyecha (born 13 June 1982) is an amazing long-distance runner from Ethiopia. He used to hold the world records for both the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races. Kenenisa won gold medals in both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the 2004 Olympics, he earned a gold medal in the 10,000 m and a silver medal in the 5,000 m.

He is known as one of the most successful runners in the history of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. He won many titles there, including six long-course and five short-course races. Kenenisa also won the 10,000 m title at the World Championships in Athletics four times in a row, from 2003 to 2009. He was unbeatable in the 10,000 m from his first race in 2003 until 2011.

At the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, Kenenisa made history. He was the first man to win both the 5000 m and 10,000 m titles at the same championship. He also has an Olympic silver medal, a World Championship bronze, and several African titles in the 5000 m. Many people think he is the greatest distance runner of all time because of his success in cross country, track, and road races.

Kenenisa's Early Life and Start in Running

Kenenisa Bekele was born in 1982 in Bekoji, a town in Ethiopia. This town is famous for producing many great long-distance runners. These include the Dibaba sisters (Ejegayehu, Tirunesh, and Genzebe) and their cousin Derartu Tulu. Kenenisa was the second of six children. His parents were barley farmers.

At first, Kenenisa wanted to work in medicine or education. But a physical education teacher encouraged him to try running. He was also inspired by the success of Derartu Tulu and Haile Gebrselassie. Kenenisa won his first international medals early on. He took second place in the 3000 meters at the 1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics and in the 5000 meters at the 2000 World Junior Championships. He won his first gold medal in the junior race at the 2001 World Cross Country Championships. His running success helped him buy a house and support his siblings' education.

Kenenisa's Amazing Running Career

Early Success: 2001 to 2003

In August 2001, Kenenisa set a 3000 metres world junior record in Brussels. He ran the race in 7:30.67 minutes. From 2002 to 2006, he won both the short (4 km) and long (12 km) races at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. No other runner has ever done this even once. After 2007, the short course race was removed. Kenenisa won another long course race in 2008. This brought his total World Cross Country medals to 11 individual gold medals.

Kenenisa became famous for his incredible speed at the end of long races. In June 2003, he showed this skill in Oslo. He quickly caught up to Kenyan runner Abraham Chebii and won the race. Kenenisa has raced against fellow Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie many times. Kenenisa won most of these races, especially in the 10,000 m.

Breaking Records in 2004

In 2004, Kenenisa broke world records for the indoor 5000 m, outdoor 5000 m, and outdoor 10,000 m. He achieved these three records in just nine days! He also won the short and long course world cross country titles. This helped Ethiopia win the senior men's team title. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he won a gold medal in the 10,000 meters and a silver medal in the 5000 meters.

Overcoming Challenges: 2005 to 2007

On January 4, 2005, Kenenisa faced a personal tragedy. His fiancée, Alem Techale, passed away during a training run. She was a talented young runner herself. Despite this, Kenenisa returned to racing. In March, he defended his cross country titles at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. He won both the short and long course races.

Kenenisa Bekele - Smiling
Kenenisa competing in the 2006 Golden League.

On August 8, 2005, Kenenisa won the gold medal in the 10,000 m at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. He used a powerful sprint in the last 200 meters. On August 26, 2005, Kenenisa set a new 10,000 m world record of 26:17.53 in Brussels. He beat his own record by almost three seconds. At the end of 2005, Track & Field News magazine named him athlete of the year for the second time.

Kenenisa Bekele running
Kenenisa leading the way at the 2007 Cross de Itálica.

In 2006, Kenenisa won the 3000 m at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow. This made him the first athlete to be an Olympic champion, world outdoor track champion, world indoor track champion, and world cross country champion. In 2007, he broke the indoor world record for 2000 m in Birmingham. However, his amazing streak of 27 cross country victories ended in March 2007. He had to drop out of a race in Mombasa due to very hot and humid conditions. But he quickly recovered. He won the 10,000-meter title at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka.

Olympic Glory in Beijing: 2008

Kenenisa Bekele Berlin 2009
Celebrating his gold medal victory at the 2009 World Championships.

In March 2008, Kenenisa won his sixth World Cross Country title in Edinburgh. This made him the most decorated athlete in IAAF World Cross Country Championships history. He has won a total of 16 gold medals in these championships.

At the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, Kenenisa won gold in the 10,000m. He set a new Olympic Record with a time of 27:01.17. He used his famous strong finish, running the last 400 meters in just 53.42 seconds. A few days later, on August 23, 2008, Kenenisa won the 5000-meter final. He broke the Olympic Record by almost eight seconds, finishing in 12:57.82. He led most of the race himself and then sped up incredibly fast at the end. By winning both the 10,000m and 5000m in Beijing, Kenenisa joined a small group of elite athletes who have achieved this "double" victory.

Double Gold at the 2009 World Championships

Kenenisa Bekele continued his winning streak at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. He won two more gold medals, one in the 5000m (13:17.09) and another in the 10,000m (26:46.31). His 10,000m time was a new World Championships Record. This made him the first man to win both long-distance track gold medals at the same World Championships. His amazing mix of endurance and speed made him almost impossible to beat when he was at his best.

Even with all his success, Kenenisa was not as famous as some other athletes like Haile Gebrselassie. This was partly because he was quiet and did not seek out many interviews.

Injuries and Comebacks: 2010 to 2012

Kenenisa had a tough start to 2010. He finished fourth in a cross country race he was expected to win. He then spent the rest of the year recovering from a calf muscle injury.

Men's 10000m Final - 2012 Olympics - 4
Kenenisa pursuing the lead pack in the Men's 10,000 metres final event at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

He returned to training in March 2011 after a knee injury. At the World Championships, he had to drop out of the 10,000m race. However, he later set the fastest time in the world for the 10,000 meters in 2011 at a race in Brussels. Kenenisa's 2012 season also started slowly. But in April, he seemed to be back in form. He won the Great Ireland Run in a new personal best time for a 10 km road race.

At the 2012 London Olympics 10,000m race, he stayed with the leading group. But he could not match Mo Farah's final sprint and finished fourth. His brother, Tariku Bekele, won the bronze medal. In 2013, Kenenisa won the Great Ireland Run again. He also won the Great North Run half marathon, beating Mo Farah by just one second.

Kenenisa's Marathon Journey

Kenenisa Bekele 2014 Paris Marathon t084500
Kenenisa Bekele at the 2014 Paris Marathon

Starting Strong: 2014-2015

Kenenisa Bekele began his marathon career at the 2014 Paris Marathon on April 6, 2014. His first marathon was very successful! He won the race in 2:05:04, setting a new course record. This time was also faster than the debut marathon times of other running legends. Kenenisa then ran the 2014 Chicago Marathon in October 2014, finishing fourth. In January 2015, he had to stop during the Dubai Marathon due to an injury. He also had to withdraw from the 2015 London Marathon because of a problem with his Achilles tendon.

Big Wins and Records: 2016-2019

After 11 months of injury, Kenenisa returned to racing at the 2016 London Marathon. He finished in third place, even though he had only trained for six weeks. On September 25, 2016, Kenenisa won the 2016 Berlin Marathon in 2:03:03. This was a new personal best for him and the second-fastest marathon time ever at that point. In April 2017, Kenenisa finished second in the London Marathon.

In April 2018, Kenenisa ran the London Marathon again and finished sixth. He also started the Amsterdam marathon but had to stop due to injury. In September 2019, Kenenisa won the 2019 Berlin Marathon in an incredible 2:01:41. This was the second-fastest marathon time ever at that point, just two seconds off the world record. After this race, he said he still believed he could break the world record.

Recent Races: 2020-2024

Kenenisa won the London half marathon on March 1, 2020. He beat the course record set by Mo Farah. In September 2021, he returned to the Berlin Marathon and placed third. In November, he finished sixth at the 2021 New York City Marathon.

In September 2022, he placed third at the Great North Run half marathon. The next month, Kenenisa competed in the 2022 London Marathon. He finished fifth and set a new masters world record for runners aged 40 and over. In April 2023, he started the London Marathon but withdrew. In December, Kenenisa ran the Valencia Marathon. He finished fourth and set another M40 Master World Record with a time of 2:04:19. This made him the first athlete over 40 to run a marathon in under 2 hours and 5 minutes.

In April 2024, the 41-year-old Kenenisa competed in the London Marathon. He finished second and broke his own Masters record by 4 seconds, running 2:04:15. Kenenisa was chosen to represent Ethiopia in the marathon at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This was his fourth Olympic appearance. He finished in 39th place with a time of 2:12:24.

Kenenisa's Personal Life

On November 18, 2007, Kenenisa married Ethiopian film actress Danawit Gebregziabher in Addis Ababa. Kenenisa has a younger brother, Tariku Bekele, who is also a very talented long-distance runner.

Kenenisa's Running Statistics

Best Times

5000 m men final Berlin 2009
Kenenisa leading the 5000 m at the 2009 World Championships
Type Distance Time (min) Date Location Notes
Track 1500 m 3:32.35 28 September 2007 Shanghai, China
Mile run indoors 4:01.57 3 February 2006 New York, NY, United States
2000 m indoors 4:49.99 17 February 2007 Birmingham, United Kingdom World best
3000 m 7:25.79 7 August 2007 Stockholm, Sweden
3000 m indoors 7:30.51 20 February 2007 Stockholm, Sweden
Two miles 8:13.51 26 May 2007 Hengelo, Netherlands
Two miles indoors 8:04.35 16 February 2008 Birmingham, United Kingdom African best
5000 m 12:37.35 31 May 2004 Hengelo, Netherlands WR and AR until 14 August 2020, broken by Joshua Cheptegei

NR until 30 May 2024, broken by Hagos Gebrhiwet

5000 m indoors 12:49.60 20 February 2004 Birmingham, United Kingdom WR until 14 February 2025, broken by Grant Fisher
10,000 m 26:17.53 26 August 2005 Brussels, Belgium NR
Road 10 km 27:49 15 April 2012 Dublin, Ireland
15 km 42:42 9 December 2001 's-Heerenberg, Netherlands
Half marathon 1:00:22 1 March 2020 London, United Kingdom Big Half course record
Marathon 2:01:41 29 September 2019 Berlin, Germany NR
2:04:15 3 December 2023 London, England Masters world record (M 40 group)

Yearly Progress

5000 metres
Year Best Location Date World rank
2012 12:55.79 Paris 6 July 9th
2009 12:52.32 Zürich 28 August 1st
2008 12:50.18 Zürich 29 August 1st
2007 12:49.53 Zaragoza 28 July 1st
2006 12:48.09 Brussels 25 August 1st
2005 12:40.18 Paris 1 July 1st
2004 12:37.35 Hengelo 31 May 1st
2003 12:52.26 Oslo 27 June 3rd
2002 13:26.58 Milan 5 June 71st
2001 13:13.33 Seville 8 June 29th
2000 13:20.57 Rieti 3 September 53rd
10,000 metres
Year Best Location Date World rank
2012 27:02.59 Birmingham 22 June 3rd
2011 26:43.16 Brussels 16 September 1st
2009 26:46.31 Berlin 17 August 1st
2008 26:25.97 Eugene 8 June 1st
2007 26:46.19 Brussels 14 September 1st
2005 26:17.53 Brussels 26 August 1st
2004 26:20.31 Ostrava 8 June 1st
2003 26:49.57 Paris 25 August 4th

Competition Record

International Competitions

  • Note: XC stands for cross country
Year Competition Venue Position Event Result
Representing  Ethiopia
1999 World XC Championships Belfast, United Kingdom 9th Junior race (8.012 km) 26:27
World Youth Championships Bydgoszcz, Poland 2nd 3000 m 8:09.89
2000 World Junior Championships Santiago, Chile 2nd 5000 m 13:45.43
2001 World XC Championships Ostend, Belgium 2nd Short race (4.1 km) 12:42
1st Junior race (7.7 km) 25:04
2002 World XC Championships Dublin, Ireland 1st Short race (4.208 km) 12:11
1st Long race (11.998 km) 34:52
2003 World XC Championships Lausanne, Switzerland 1st Short race (4.03 km) 11:01
1st Long race (12.355 km) 35:56
World Championships in Athletics Paris, France 3rd 5000 m 12:53.12
1st 10,000 m 26:49.57
All-Africa Games Abuja, Nigeria 1st 5000 m 13:26.16
2004 World XC Championships Brussels, Belgium 1st Short race (4 km) 11:31
1st Long race (12 km) 35:52
Olympic Games Athens, Greece 2nd 5000 m 13:14.59
1st 10,000 m 27:05.10
2005 World XC Championships Saint-Galmier, France 1st Short race (4.196 km) 11:33
1st Long race (12.02 km) 35:06
World Championships in Athletics Helsinki, Finland 1st 10,000 m 27:08.33
2006 World Indoor Championships Moscow, Russia 1st 3000 m 7:39.32
World XC Championships Fukuoka, Japan 1st Short race (4 km) 10:54
1st Long race (12 km) 35:40
African Championships Bambous, Mauritius 1st 5000 m 14:03.41
IAAF World Cup Athens, Greece 2nd 3000 m 7:36.25
2007 World XC Championships Mombasa, Kenya Senior race (12 km) DNF
World Championships in Athletics Osaka, Japan 1st 10,000 m 27:05.90
2008 World XC Championships Edinburgh, United Kingdom 1st Senior race (12 km) 34:38
African Championships Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1st 5000 m 13:49.67
Olympic Games Beijing, China 1st 5000 m 12:57.82
1st 10,000 m 27:01.17
2009 World Championships in Athletics Berlin, Germany 1st 5000 m 13:17.09
1st 10,000 m 26:46.31
2011 World Championships in Athletics Daegu, South Korea 10,000 m DNF
2012 Olympic Games London, United Kingdom 4th 10,000 m 27:32.44
2024 Olympic Games Paris, France 39th Marathon 2:12:24

Marathons

Year Competition Venue Position Event Result
2014 Paris Marathon Paris, France 1st Marathon 2:05:04
Chicago Marathon Chicago, United States 4th Marathon 2:05:51
2015 Dubai Marathon Dubai, UAE DNF Marathon DNF
2016 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 3rd Marathon 2:06:36
Berlin Marathon Berlin, Germany 1st Marathon 2:03:03
2017 Dubai Marathon Dubai, UAE DNF Marathon DNF
London Marathon London, United Kingdom 2nd Marathon 2:05:57
Berlin Marathon Berlin, Germany DNF Marathon DNF
2018 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 6th Marathon 2:08:53
Amsterdam Marathon Amsterdam, Netherlands DNF Marathon DNF
2019 Berlin Marathon Berlin, Germany 1st Marathon 2:01:41
2020 London Marathon London, United Kingdom DNS Marathon DNS
2021 Berlin Marathon Berlin, Germany 3rd Marathon 2:06:47
New York Marathon New York, United States 6th Marathon 2:12:52
2022 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 5th Marathon 2:05:53
2023 London Marathon London, United Kingdom DNF Marathon DNF
Valencia Marathon Valencia, Spain 4th Marathon 2:04:19
2024 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 2nd Marathon 2:04:15 MWR
Olympic Games Paris, France 39th Marathon 2:12:24
Valencia Marathon Valencia, Spain DNF Marathon DNF

World Grand Prix Finals (World Athletics Finals)

Year Competition Venue Position Event Result
2001 Grand Prix Final Melbourne, Australia 2nd 3000 m 7:54.39
2003 World Athletics Final Monaco, Monaco 1st 3000 m 7:36.98
2006 World Athletics Final Stuttgart, Germany 1st 5000 m 13:48.62
2009 World Athletics Final Thessaloniki, Greece 1st 3000 m 8:03.79

World Marathon Majors Results

World Marathon Majors 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Tokyo Marathon
Boston Marathon
London Marathon 3rd 2nd 6th DNS 5th DNF 2nd
Berlin Marathon 1st DNF 1st 3rd
Chicago Marathon 4th
New York Marathon 6th

Other Race Wins

  • IAAF Golden League jackpot winner: 2006, 2009
  • Montferland Run 15K: 2000, 2001
  • Giro al Sas 11K: 2001
  • Memorial Peppe Greco 10K: 2003
Cross country wins
  • Tilburg Warandeloop: 2000
  • Cinque Mulini: 2002
  • Lotto Cross Cup Brussels: 2002
  • Oeiras International Cross Country: 2002, 2003
  • Campaccio: 2002, 2004
  • Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza: 2003
  • Trofeo Alasport: 2003
  • Cross Internacional de Itálica: 2003, 2004, 2007
  • Cross Internacional de Venta de Baños: 2004
  • Great Edinburgh International Cross Country: 2006, 2007, 2008

Awards and Recognition

  • IAAF World Athlete of the Year: 2004, 2005
  • Track & Field News Athlete of the Year: 2004, 2005
  • Ethiopian Person of the Year: 2007/2008
  • ESPN Africa's best athlete of the 21st century

See also

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