Ghirmay Ghebreslassie


Ghirmay Ghebreslassie is an Eritrean long distance runner. He won the 2015 World Championships in Athletics marathon in Beijing, China, becoming the youngest winner of the race at age 19 and became the first Eritrean to win a gold medal at the World Championships. On 6 November 2016, Ghirmay was the top men's finisher at the New York City Marathon, becoming the youngest male to ever win the race.

Early life

Ghirmay was born on 14 November 1995 in Kisadeka, a village from the Eritrean capital Asmara. His talent was spotted by a physical education teacher who saw him running with his friends and encouraged him to take up running. Ghirmay was initially concerned this would affect his academics but was convinced he could follow in the footsteps of Zersenay Tadese and manage both. His father was opposed to his running but success on the track fixed this concern.

Running career

Ghirmay placed 7th at the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships Junior men's race in Bydgoszcz, Poland. He also placed 7th at the 2014 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships senior men's race in Copenhagen, Denmark.
On 22 August 2015, Ghirmay unexpectedly won the marathon race at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics, becoming the youngest ever world marathon winner, at the age of 19. He took the lead at the 36 km mark. As he entered Beijing National Stadium for the final lap, he was in a close race with Ethiopian Yemane Tsegay. Ghirmay was able to produce one final sprint in the last 100 m to outlast his competitor. He was running in only his fourth marathon.
Ghirmay finished in fourth place at the 2016 London Marathon, achieving a personal best time of 2:07:46.
Going into the 2016 Olympics, Ghirmay, by virtue of his world championship, was considered a medal contender in the Marathon event. He placed fourth.
On 6 November 2016, Ghirmay was the top men's finisher at the New York City Marathon, becoming the youngest male to ever win the race.
RaceTimePlaceDate
10,000 metres 28:33.37Hengelo 27 May 2012
10 kilometres 28:21Gothenburg18 May 2014
15 kilometres42:43Gothenburg18 May 2014
20 kilometres57:07Copenhagen29 March 2014
Half marathon1:00:09Paderborn30 March 2013
25 kilometres1:13:42Chicago12 October 2014
30 kilometres1:28:13London24 April 2016
Marathon2:07:46London24 April 2016