The athletics world is mourning the loss of Ethiopian long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese, who has died at the age of 36 after reportedly suffering a sudden medical emergency while training in Addis Ababa.
According to reports from Ethiopian media and athletics officials, Melese was preparing for the upcoming Ottawa Marathon scheduled for May 24 when she suddenly fell ill during training. She was rushed to hospital on Tuesday, May 12, but doctors were unable to save her.
In a statement, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation expressed deep sadness over her passing and described her as a heroic athlete whose achievements brought pride to Ethiopia and the global athletics community.
Melese was widely respected as one of Ethiopia’s elite marathon runners. Throughout her career, she earned victories in major international races including the Houston Marathon, Prague Marathon, and Shanghai Marathon.
One of the defining moments of her career came in 2018 when she recorded a personal best time of 2:19:36 at the Dubai Marathon, placing her among the fastest women marathoners in history. Her performance ranked among the top marathon times ever recorded by a female athlete.
She also gained international recognition after finishing second at the Chicago Marathon in 2015, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s top long-distance runners.
Melese’s death has shocked many in the athletics community, particularly as she was still actively competing and considered one of the favourites for the Ottawa race later this month.
Across social media, fellow athletes, fans, and sports organizations have shared tributes celebrating her discipline, resilience, and contributions to long-distance running.
Ethiopia has produced some of the world’s greatest distance runners, and Melese’s name remains part of that proud legacy. Her achievements inspired many young athletes, especially women across Africa, who saw her as an example of dedication and excellence on the global stage.
Her passing is a painful reminder of how quickly life can change, even for some of the world’s strongest athletes.
Tributes continue to pour in as the sporting world remembers a marathon star whose impact reached far beyond the finish line.
