Buzunesh Deba

Last updated
Buzunesh Deba
Bizunesh Deba.png
Personal information
Born (1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 (age 36)
Ethiopia
Sport
Country Flag of Ethiopia.svg Ethiopia

Buzunesh Deba (born 8 September 1987) is a Bronx-based Ethiopian long-distance runner. She won the 2014 Boston Marathon in her personal-best time of 2:19:59. [1] In the race, Deba finished behind Rita Jeptoo, who was later disqualified for doping. [2]

Contents

A prolific runner since 2009, she is a winner of the California International Marathon, San Diego Marathon, Los Angeles Marathon, Grandma's Marathon, Boston Marathon, and Twin Cities Marathon. She has finished in the top ten three times at the New York City Marathon.

Career

Her first international appearance for Ethiopia came in the long race at the 2003 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, where she came 33rd overall. [3] She competed on the track in Japan in 2004, running a best of 15:52.33 minutes for the 5000 metres, but it was another five years until she established herself as a road running specialist. [4]

Basing herself in The Bronx, New York, alongside her fellow marathon runner and husband Worku Beyi, she began to compete in road races in the United States in 2009. [5] She won the Fairfield Half Marathon in June and in July she was the runner-up in the women's section of the Buffalo 4-Mile Chase, [6] [7] That September she won the Charleston Distance Classic 15-miler and then made her debut over the marathon, winning on her first try at the Quad Cities Marathon with a time of 2:44:22 hours. [8] [9] Two months later she ran at the New York City Marathon and came seventh, significantly improving her best time to 2:35:54 hours. In an untraditional decision for an elite runner, she ran her third marathon in the space of three months at the California International Marathon and she won the race in a time of 2:32:17 hours. [10]

She began 2010 with a personal best of 1:12:50 hours to win at the Naples Half Marathon and a win at the National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer in Jacksonville Beach followed soon after. She extended her winning streak to seven straight wins by taking the women's titles at the Broad Street Run, Newport 10000, UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, Grandma's Marathon (with a personal best run of 2:31:35), and the Fairfield Half Marathon. She was tenth at the Peachtree Road Race on July 4, but returned to her winning ways at the Buffalo 4-Miler and Chris Thater Memorial 5K. [11] Deba secured her third marathon win of the year at the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis in October, running a personal best of 2:27:23 hours and beating second placed Svetlana Ponomarenko by almost eight minutes. [12] She returned to the major race at the 2010 New York City Marathon and came tenth, although her time of 2:29:55 hours was her second run under the 2:30:00-mark. [13] As in the previous year, she closed the season at the California Marathon and she retained her title, bringing her yearly tally to four marathon wins in five appearances. [11]

2011

At the beginning of 2011, Deba defeated pre-race favourite Mare Dibaba to win the Los Angeles Marathon. [14] She took a second straight victory at the Newport 10000 and then repeated that feat at the Healthy Kidney 10K in New York. [15] She started the San Diego Marathon with a quick pace and reached the halfway marker in 1:09:53 hours. Her second half was not as fast but she still won the race in a new personal best of 2:23:31 hours – a time that also beat Joan Benoit's record for the fastest marathon in California, set at the 1984 Olympic marathon more than 26 years earlier. Deba had also surpassed the best time set by her husband, who remarked: "I will try harder to get the record back. I will not sleep anymore". [5] Two months later she came third at the Beach to Beacon 10K. [16] She placed second at the 2011 New York City Marathon with her new personal best, 2:23:19 hours. [17]

2012

She was set to compete at the 2012 Boston Marathon but was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury. [18] She returned to competition in 2013 at the Houston Marathon and her run of 2:24:26 hours was enough for second place behind Merima Mohammed. [19]

2014

In 2014, Deba ran the New York Half in 1:08:59, and won the 2014 Boston Marathon in 2:19:59, [1] a title awarded in December 2016 after Rita Jeptoo was disqualified over doping. [2] [20] In April 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported she was still awaiting payment of the winner's prize money for her first place finish in that event, as well as the bonus for setting the women's course record. [21] In May 2024, businessman Doug Guyer paid the missing prize money after reading the Journal article and urged Marathon organizers to pay the remaining bonus. [22]

On November 2, 2014, she placed 9th among the women's field in the TCS New York City Marathon with a time of 2:31:40. [23]

2015

In 2015, Deba finished third in the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:25:09. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rita Jeptoo</span> Kenyan marathon runner

Rita Jeptoo is a Kenyan marathon runner. Along with winning the Boston Marathon on two occasions, she has also won marathons in Chicago, Stockholm, and Milan. Jeptoo. Jeptoo was the bronze medalist at the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships representing Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edna Kiplagat</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner. She was the 2011 and 2013 World Champion in the marathon. She established herself as an elite marathon runner with wins at the Los Angeles and New York City Marathons in 2010. Her personal best for the distance is 2:19:50 hours, set at the London Marathon in 2012. At age 37, Kiplagat won the 2017 Boston Marathon in a time of 2:21:52 hours, and won the marathon silver medal at the IAAF World Championships in London. At age 39, she was second at the 2019 Boston Marathon and fourth in the event at the following World Championships. At age 41, she won the 2021 Boston Marathon, becoming the oldest-ever winner of a World Marathon Major.

Koren Jelela, also known as Koren Jelila Yal, is an Ethiopian long-distance runner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalane Flanagan</span> American long-distance runner

Shalane Grace Flanagan is an American long-distance runner, Olympic medalist and New York City Marathon champion. She was the first American woman to win the New York City Marathon since 1977. She holds the NACAC area records in both the 10k and 15k road races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Smith (runner)</span> New Zealand runner

Kimberley Smith is a New Zealand middle-distance and long-distance runner who retired in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Jepkosgei Keitany</span> Kenyan long-distance runner (born 1982)

Mary Jepkosgei Keitany is a Kenyan former professional long distance runner. She was the world record holder in a women-only marathon, having won the 2017 London Marathon in a time of 2:17:01. As of November 2022, she placed fifth on the world all-time list at the marathon and eleventh on the respective world all-time list for the half marathon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firehiwot Dado</span> Ethiopian long-distance runner

Firehiwot Tufa Dado is a female long-distance runner from Ethiopia, who won the New York City Marathon in 2011 with a personal best time of 2:23:15 hours. She also took three consecutive victories in the Rome City Marathon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Cherop</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Sharon Jemutai Cherop is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon. She won a bronze medal at the age of sixteen in the 5000 metres at the World Junior Championships. She was the bronze medal winner in the marathon at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics and won the Boston Marathon in 2012.

Amane Gobena Gemeda[nb] is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes primarily in road running events. She has a marathon best of 2:23:50 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lelisa Desisa</span> Ethiopian long-distance runner

Lelisa Desisa Benti is a retired Ethiopian long-distance runner who specialises in road running competitions. Desisa gained his first international medal at the 2009 African Junior Athletics Championships, where he took the 10,000 metres gold medal.

Agnes Jepkemboi Kiprop is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in marathon events. Initially a cross country specialist, she has focused on marathons since 2008 and has won races in Reims, Turin, Frankfurt, Prague and Hannover. She holds a personal best of 2:23:54 hours for the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Priscah Jeptoo</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Priscah Jeptoo is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon. She has won marathons in New York, Paris, Turin, and London and has a best time of 2:20:14 for the distance. She was the runner-up in the marathon at both the World Championships in Athletics in 2011 and the 2012 London Olympics. She ranks third all-time over the half marathon distance with her best of 66 minutes and 11 seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fate Tola</span> Ethiopian long-distance runner

Fate Tola Geleto is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in marathon races. She represented Ethiopia at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and has won marathons in Thessaloniki and Vienna. She lives in Germany and trains with Irina Mikitenko. Since 2012, she competes for the German club MTV Braunschweig.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamitu Daska</span> Ethiopian long-distance runner

Mamitu Daska Molisa, also known as Mamitu Deska, is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specialises in road running events, including the marathon. She is a two-time team silver medallist at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. She has won the Dubai Marathon and Houston Marathon and has a personal best of 2:21:59 hours for the distance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beatrice Omwanza</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Beatrice Omwanza is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in marathon and half marathon races. She represented Kenya in the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics in 2003 and 2005. Her personal best for the event is 2:27:19 hours.

Meriem Wangari Kiprugut is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in half marathon and 10K road races. Her personal best for the half marathon distance is 1:10:27 hours, set in Lille in 2007. She made her marathon debut in 2012 and set a time of 2:31:30 hours on her first attempt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jemima Sumgong</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Jemima Jelagat Sumgong is a Kenyan long-distance runner specialising in marathon races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Rotich</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Caroline Rotich is a Kenyan-American long-distance runner who competes in half marathon and marathon races. She has won the Las Vegas Marathon, New York Half Marathon and the Boston Marathon. She represented Kenya at the World Championships in Athletics in 2011 and has personal bests of 2:23:22 for the marathon and 1:09:09 for the half marathon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helah Kiprop</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Helah Kiprop Jelagat is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who competes in the half marathon and marathon. Her personal bests for the events are 1:07:39 minutes and 2:21:27 hours, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peres Jepchirchir</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Peres Jepchirchir is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who competes mainly in road running competitions. She won the gold medal in the women's marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Jepchirchir was the champion at the 2016 and 2020 World Half Marathon Championships. She claimed victories at the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathon and finished third at the 2023 London Marathon. She claimed a further victory at the 2024 London Marathon, finishing in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds and breaking the women’s only world record.

References

  1. 1 2 "Champions | Boston Athletic Association". www.baa.org. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  2. 1 2 Dunbar, Graham (2016-10-26). "Chicago, Boston marathon winner Jeptoo banned for 4 years". Associated Press . Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  3. 2003 World XC - Women's Long Race Archived March 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  4. Deba, Bizunesh. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  5. 1 2 Rosenthal, Bert (2011-06-06). Deba blazes 2:23:31 at San Diego Marathon - Keflezighi has homecoming triumph in Half-Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  6. 2009 Buffalo 4-Mile Chase. Runner Space. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  7. Civai, Franco (2010-07-29). Fairfield Half Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS). Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  8. Charleston Distance Classic 15 miles. ARRS (2010-09-14). Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  9. Quad Cities Marathon. ARRS (2010-09-27). Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  10. California International Marathon. ARRS (2011-12-06). Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  11. 1 2 Buzunesh Deba Archived 2011-10-06 at the Wayback Machine . Posso Sports. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  12. Estes, Jim (2010-10-04). Deba clocks 2:27:23 in Minneapolis, Reyes takes US Marathon title. IAAF/USATF. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  13. Top Female finishers Archived 2010-11-07 at the Wayback Machine . NYC Marathon. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  14. Reavis, Tony (2011-03-21). Geneti debuts with 2:06 in LA. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  15. UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in New York: Kenyan Leonard Komon Wins in Course Record Time of 27:35 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . New York Road Runners/Run Washington (2011-05-14). Retrieved on 2011-06-06.
  16. Kogo and Kiros cruise to 10Km wins in Cape Elizabeth. IAAF (2011-08-07). Retrieved on 2011-08-10.
  17. Top Female finishers Archived 2011-11-08 at the Wayback Machine . NYC Marathon. Retrieved on 2011-11-09.
  18. Morse, Parker (2012-04-16). Korir and Cherop the best as warm weather slows Boston. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-04-26.
  19. Youth trumps weather in Houston as Ethiopians take clean sweep of titles. IAAF (2013-01-13). Retrieved on 2013-02-18.
  20. "Buzunesh Deba named rightful winner of 2014 Boston Marathon". ESPN. December 12, 2016.
  21. Bachman, Rachel. "She Won The Boston Marathon. It Still Owes Her $100,000". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  22. Bachman, Rachel (2024-05-13). "The Winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon Finally Got Her Prize Money—From a Complete Stranger". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  23. TCS NYC Marathon Overall Women Results page tcsnycmarathon.org Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  24. "2015 Womens Race Recap". Archived from the original on 2015-05-21. Retrieved 2015-05-19.