A gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the 2017 World Championships in London marked a career milestone for Muktar Edris when he defeated Mo Farah in the British athlete's final track race. Born in the Silt'e Zone of Ethiopia on 14 January 1994, Edris established himself as a dominant presence in international long-distance track and cross country running.
Early International Appearances
The athlete began his competitive trajectory in 2011, securing seventh place in the junior division at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and earning a share of the team silver medal. During that same year, he finished fourth in the 10,000 metres at the African Junior Athletics Championships, clocking a time of 28:44.95 minutes.
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Edris moved to the forefront of the junior circuit in 2012 by winning the African Cross Country Championships and taking gold in the 5,000 metres at the World Junior Championships in Athletics. He captured the Ethiopian national title that year and made his Diamond League debut, recording a 5,000-metre personal best of 13:04.34 minutes at the Meeting Areva in Paris. His Italian road circuit performance concluded with a third-place finish at the Giro di Castelbuono and a near-victory at the BOClassic.
Championship Success and Best Times
The runner dominated several cross country races in 2013, including the Campaccio, Cross della Vallagarina, and Cinque Mulini. He followed these victories with a bronze medal in the junior race at the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. By 21 August 2014, he held the fastest world time of the year, finishing in 12:54.83 in Stockholm. He claimed his second world title on 30 September 2019, winning the 5,000m race at the World Athletics Championships in Doha with a time of 12:58.85.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 January 1994, Silt'e Zone, Ethiopia
- World 5,000m Titles: 2
- 3,000m Personal Best: 7:30.96 minutes (2021)
- 5,000m Personal Best: 12:54.83 minutes (2014)
- 10,000m Personal Best: 27:17.18 minutes (2015)
- 10 km Road Personal Best: 27:57 minutes (2019)
- Olympic Participation: 2016 Summer Olympics
Questions readers ask
How many times has Muktar Edris won the 5,000 metres at the World Championships?
He is a two-time champion, winning in 2017 and 2019.
What is his fastest recorded time in the 5,000 metres?
His personal best is 12:54.83, set in 2014.
