The 10,000 metres world record of 29:17.45, established at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, solidified Almaz Ayana as a force in long-distance athletics. Born in 1991 in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia, she transitioned from a local school runner to an international competitor, consistently challenging the limits of human endurance on the track.
Early Career and Championship Success
Almaz first gained global recognition at age 21, securing a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow. Her ascent continued at the 2014 African Championships in Marrakesh, where she claimed the title with a championship record of 15:32.72. By 2015, she asserted her dominance at the Beijing World Championships, winning the 5,000 metres gold in 14:26.83 and earning the Performance of the Championships designation from World Athletics.
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The 2016 season marked a turning point in her career. After setting a personal best of 14:12.59 at the Rome Diamond League, she completed her first competitive 10,000 metres at the Ethiopian Olympic trials in Hengelo, recording 30:07.00. In Rio, she shattered Wang Junxia’s 23-year-old world record by 14 seconds to take gold, later adding an Olympic bronze in the 5,000 metres. She was subsequently voted the 2016 IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year.
London Podium and Marathon Transition
At the 2017 World Championships in London, Almaz won the 10,000 metres with a time of 30:16.32, finishing 46 seconds ahead of the runner-up, before securing a silver medal in the 5,000 metres. Following a three-year hiatus due to injury and pregnancy, she returned to competition in 2022. That October, she achieved the fastest women's marathon debut in history at the Amsterdam Marathon, finishing in 2:17:20.
Recent Performance
Continuing her career in road racing, Almaz won the 2023 Lisbon Half Marathon with a course record of 1:05:30. Later that year, she placed third at the Dam tot Damloop 10-mile race in 52:23. She further refined her marathon capabilities, setting a new personal best of 2:16:20 when placing second at a subsequent marathon event behind Worknesh Degefa.
Fast facts
- Born: 1991, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia
- Primary Sport: Athletics (Long-distance)
- 2016 Olympic Gold: 10,000 metres
- 2016 IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year
- Marathon Debut Record: 2:17:20 (Amsterdam, 2022)
- Languages: Amharic, Oromo
- Award: OkayAfrica 100 Women (2017)
Questions readers ask
What does the name Almaz signify?
In Amharic, the name Almaz translates to diamond.
Is Almaz Ayana still active in competitive running?
Yes, she has been regularly competing since April 2022, focusing primarily on marathon and road racing distances.
Achievements
- Competed at athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Discipline: athletics
