Ethiopian marathon runner Yebrgual Melese dies at 36 after training collapse

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation confirmed Thursday that long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese has died following a sudden medical emergency during a training session in Addis Ababa earlier this week. She was 36 years old.

Melese collapsed while training on Tuesday and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical staff were unable to save her. No official cause of death has been released.

The federation issued a statement expressing grief over her passing. “The Ethiopian Athletics Federation expresses its deep sorrow over the sudden passing of this heroic athlete and offers condolences to her family, friends and fans,” the statement read.

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At the time of her death, Melese had been preparing to compete in the Ottawa Marathon, scheduled for May 24.

A Career Built on the Roads

Melese built her reputation as a consistent marathon performer on the international circuit. She claimed victories at the Houston Marathon, the Prague Marathon, and the Shanghai Marathon, recording a career-best marathon time of 2:19:36 at the 2018 Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon.

Her best result at one of the World Marathon Majors came in 2015, the same year she won in Houston and Prague. She finished second at the Chicago Marathon that year, her highest-ever placement at one of the sport’s highlighted road events.

Melese also ran a half marathon personal best of 1:07:18 at the 2018 Meia Maratona de Portugal in Lisbon. At shorter road distances, she posted a 10-kilometer road best of 31:40 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, in August 2013, and clocked 1:08:13 over 20 kilometers in Paris in October 2011.

On the track, she recorded a 10,000-meter best of 33:32.63 in Addis Ababa in June 2013.

Her final race came at the Beijing Marathon in May 2025, which she did not finish.

Yebrgual Melese | Career Personal Bests

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