Havana, May 12 (RHC) – Ethiopian long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese, 36, died today after collapsing during training, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation confirmed.
Melese was preparing to compete in the Ottawa Marathon, scheduled for May 24, when she collapsed and died suddenly, causing shock throughout the international athletics community.
The athlete was the runner-up in the Chicago Marathon in 2015 and also finished second in Barcelona in 2015. She held a personal best of 2:19:36, achieved in 2018, a time that placed her among the best in history at the distance.
Her achievements include victories in the Houston, Prague, and Shanghai Marathons, as well as wins in the Paris Half Marathon (twice) and the Lisbon Half Marathon.
The Ethiopian Athletics Federation expressed its sorrow at her passing and extended its condolences to her family, friends, and the sporting community.
