A time of 14:19 in the 5 km road race set by Ejgayehu Taye in Barcelona on 31 December 2021 established a new world record. This Ethiopian long-distance runner has consistently demonstrated speed and tactical endurance across multiple terrains, earning significant podium finishes at international championships and circuit events throughout her professional athletics career.
Early Career and International Debut
Born on 10 February 2000, Taye began establishing her reputation in competitive track events during the late 2010s. She secured a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, trailing Beatrice Chebet while finishing ahead of Tsigie Gebreselama. By 2019, she was competing at the African Games, where she earned a fifth-place finish in the 5000m event.
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Taye qualified for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics after setting a personal best of 14:14.09 at the Ethiopian trials in June 2021, finishing behind Gudaf Tsegay. During the Olympic final, she secured fifth place in the 5000m. Following this, she achieved a major success in Belgrade at the 2022 World Indoor Championships, taking the bronze medal in the 3000 metres with a time of 8:42.23. Her 2023 season included another bronze medal, this time in the 10,000 metres at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest.
Recent Athletic Performance
During the 2024 season, Taye finished second in the 5000 metres at the Doha Diamond League in May. She later competed in the 5000 metres at the Paris Summer Olympics, placing sixth. In April 2025, she secured victories in both the 3000 metres and 5000 metres at the Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica, with her 3000m time of 8:28.42 marking the fastest recorded performance for that distance on Jamaican soil. She subsequently placed fifth in the 10,000 metres at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Fast facts
- Born: 10 February 2000
- Country: Ethiopia
- Sport: Athletics
- Specialist Event: 5000 metres
- 5 km road record time: 14:19
- 3000 metres personal best: 8:19.52
- 10,000 metres personal best: 30:12.45
Questions readers ask
What is Ejgayehu Taye's notable road race record?
She set a world record for the 5 km road race in Barcelona on 31 December 2021 with a time of 14 minutes 19 seconds.
How did Taye perform at the 2025 Grand Slam Track event?
She won both the 3000 metres and 5000 metres races in Kingston, Jamaica.
