Addis Ababa, July 5, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian distance runners produced another outstanding weekend on the international athletics stage, securing victories in elite track and road races across the United States, Australia and Brazil.
Leading the weekend’s performances was rising Ethiopian star Aleshign Baweke, who won the women’s two-mile race at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday. Baweke crossed the finish line in 9:20.02, edging compatriot Hirut Meshesha, who finished second in 9:20.20, as Ethiopia claimed the top two positions in one of the world’s premier one-day athletics meetings.
Ethiopia’s success continued on Sunday at the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon in Australia, where Almaz Kebebe captured the women’s title in 2:24:53, adding another prestigious international marathon victory to the country’s long-distance running tradition.
The nation also celebrated a remarkable double at the Rio de Janeiro Marathon in Brazil on Sunday. Tsegaye Getachew claimed the men’s crown in 2:10:22, while Gadise Mulu Demissie triumphed in the women’s race with a winning time of 2:25:47, completing an Ethiopian sweep of both elite marathon titles.
Earlier on Saturday, Tsigie Gebreselama won the women’s AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, clocking 31:02 to narrowly defeat fellow Ethiopian Melknat Wudu by one second, giving Ethiopia a one-two finish in the world’s largest 10-kilometre road race.
The impressive performances across three continents once again underscored Ethiopia’s continued strength in global distance running, with its athletes excelling in both elite track competition and major international road races throughout the weekend.