Ethiopia’s Distance Runners Dominate Europe in Commanding Weekend of Road-Racing Success

Addis Ababa, October 4, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian distance runners delivered a commanding series of performances across major European road races over the weekend, highlighted by complete Ethiopian sweeps of both the men’s and women’s podiums at the tRUNsylvania International 10K in Brașov, Romania.

Ethiopia’s dominance in Brașov was emphatic. Khairi Bejiga retained his title in 27:01, becoming the first athlete, male or female, to win the race in consecutive editions, while compatriots Nibret Kinde and Ayele Tadesse completed an Ethiopian 1-2-3 in the men’s race in 27:02 and 27:10, respectively.

The women’s race produced an equally striking Ethiopian sweep, with Asefu Abreha taking victory in 30:16, followed by Aynadis Mebratu in 30:19 and Yenesh Shimket Ademas in 30:21. The result marked Ethiopia’s complete control of both elite podiums at the Romanian event.

The performance in Brașov formed the centerpiece of a wider weekend of strong Ethiopian results across Europe.

At the Cardiff Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race and the fourth event in the 2026 SuperHalfs series, Yismaw Dillu finished runner-up in 1:00:18, while Gemechu Tolosa placed fifth in 1:01:51. Ethiopia also took two of the three women’s podium places, with Wede Kefale second in 1:05:54 and Tigist Tesema third in 1:07:23. Emebet Kebede added a fifth-place finish in 1:09:46.

In Germany, Ethiopian women occupied two places on the podium at the Generali Köln Marathon, with Fantu Shugi finishing second in 2:24:26 and Ayantu Kumela third in 2:25:53. Aamelmal Tagel was fifth in 2:27:07, while Alemtsehay Mekuria and Tigist Worku also finished among the leading runners. Habtamu Birlew added a second-place finish in the men’s marathon in 2:06:30.

The Ethiopian showing had already begun strongly a day earlier in Norway, where Biniyam Melak won the RunFest Norway 10K in Sandnes in 27:29, with Birhane Mengistu third in 28:45. Ethiopia’s Abdrselam Worku also claimed third in the 5K in 13:29 behind Olympic, world and European champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Taken together, the results underline the depth and breadth of Ethiopian distance running, with athletes producing victories, podium sweeps and leading finishes across 10K, half marathon and marathon races in Norway, Romania, Wales and Germany over the weekend.

From the complete domination of the two elite podiums in Brașov to multiple podium finishes in Cardiff and Cologne and victory in Norway, Ethiopian runners once again put the country’s distance-running strength firmly on display on the European road-racing circuit.