The 2013 Dubai Marathon debut signaled a major transition for Lelisa Desisa, who clocked a 2:04:45 performance. This breakthrough followed several years of competitive road racing success across international circuits. The Ethiopian athlete established himself through high-level half marathons before shifting focus to the full marathon distance, eventually securing world championship honors and major city victories.
Early Career and Road Racing
Born on 14 January 1990 in the Shewa zone of the Oromia region, Desisa began his international career by winning the 10,000 metres at the 2009 African Junior Athletics Championships. During 2010, he competed frequently in the United States, winning the Ottawa 10K and the Boilermaker Road Race in Utica. That same year, he placed seventh at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, contributing to a team bronze medal for Ethiopia. In 2011, he improved his half marathon personal best to 59:30 minutes while winning in Delhi.
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Following his successful marathon debut in Dubai, Desisa won the 2013 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:10:22. He was not injured during the bombing that occurred hours after his finish and subsequently returned his winner medal to the city to honor the victims. He later secured additional wins, including the 2015 Boston Marathon at 2:09:17 and the 2018 New York City Marathon in 2:05:59.
Global Competition and Trials
Desisa participated in Nike's 2017 Breaking2 project, finishing third with a time of 2:14:10. He achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2019 World Athletics Championships marathon in Doha with a season-best of 2:10:40. In 2021, his second-place finish at the Ethiopian Olympic Marathon Trials in Sebeta qualified him for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 January 1990
- Origin: Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia
- Marathon Personal Best: 2:04:45
- Half Marathon Personal Best: 59:30
- 2019 World Marathon Champion
- 2018 New York City Marathon Winner
- 2015 Boston Marathon Winner
- 2013 Boston Marathon Winner
Questions readers ask
Did Lelisa Desisa compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games?
Yes, his second-place finish at the 2021 Ethiopian Olympic Marathon Trials qualified him for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
What is his fastest marathon time?
His personal best in the marathon is 2:04:45, recorded during his debut at the 2013 Dubai Marathon.
