Personal information | |
---|---|
Birth name | Biruktayit Eshetu Degefa |
Nationality | Ethiopian |
Born | Ethiopia | 29 September 1990
Occupation | long-distance runner |
Years active | 2014–present |
Sport | |
Country | ![]() |
Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | Marathon, Half marathon, 10K Road |
Achievements and titles | |
Personal bests |
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Biruktayit Eshetu Degefa (born 29 September 1990) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner specialising in the marathon and half marathon. She is best known for her three victories at the Houston Marathon and holds a marathon personal best of 2:21:34.
Degefa began competing internationally on the road in the mid-2010s, quickly marking herself with major wins. In 2014, she claimed her first title at the Sydney Marathon in Australia, finishing in 2:29:42. [1]
Her association with the Houston Marathon started in 2016, when she won in 2:26:07. [2] [3] After placing second in 2017 (2:30:44), [1] she reclaimed the title in 2018 (2:24:51) and successfully defended it in 2019 with a then–personal best of 2:23:28. [4] [5] She became only the third woman in the race’s history to win three titles.
In 2022, Degefa ran 31:23 for 10 km at the Cooper River Bridge Run in April and set a half marathon best of 1:09:41 in Berlin in October. She then lowered her marathon PB to 2:21:34 at the Valencia Marathon in December, finishing 11th in a deep field. [6] [7]
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Sydney Marathon | Sydney, Australia | 1st | 2:29:42 [1] |
2016 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 1st | 2:26:07 [2] |
2017 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 2nd | 2:30:44 [1] |
2018 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 1st | 2:24:51 [1] |
2019 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 1st | 2:23:28 [4] |