1. Early Life
Kenenisa Bekele's early life in Ethiopia laid the foundation for his illustrious athletic career, shaped by his family background and the inspiration he drew from his country's running legends.
1.1. Childhood and Early Passion
Kenenisa Bekele was born on June 13, 1982, in Bekoji, a town situated in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia. This region is renowned for producing numerous prominent long-distance runners, including the Dibaba sisters, Ejegayehu, Tirunesh, and Genzebe, as well as their cousin Derartu Tulu. Bekele was the second of six children, growing up with three brothers and two sisters. His parents were barley farmers, and the family practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.
Initially, Bekele harbored aspirations for a career outside of sports, considering professions such as medicine, education, or civil service. However, his latent talent for running was nurtured by a physical education teacher who encouraged him to pursue the sport seriously. He found profound inspiration in the successes of Ethiopian running icons like Derartu Tulu and Haile Gebrselassie, which fueled his passion for athletics and ultimately guided him toward a path he had not originally envisioned.
1.2. Transition to Professional Athlete
Bekele's transition to a professional athletic career began with notable achievements in youth and junior competitions. In 1999, he secured his first international medal by taking the silver in the 3000 metres at the World Youth Championships held in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The following year, in 2000, he earned another silver medal in the 5000 m at the World Junior Championships in Santiago, Chile.
His breakthrough moment came in 2001 when he won his first gold medal in the junior race at the World Cross Country Championships in Ostend, Belgium. This early success not only marked his arrival on the international scene but also provided him with the financial means to improve his family's circumstances, allowing him to purchase a house and contribute to funding his siblings' educations. These achievements solidified his commitment to running and set the stage for his remarkable professional career.
2. Running Career
Kenenisa Bekele's professional running career is marked by periods of unparalleled dominance, significant comebacks, and a successful transition to marathon racing, cementing his status as one of history's greatest distance runners.
2.1. Track and Cross Country Dominance (2001-2009)
This period showcases Kenenisa Bekele's overwhelming supremacy in both cross country and track events, particularly the 5000 m and 10000 m, where he consistently demonstrated world-class ability and broke multiple records.
2.1.1. World Cross Country Championships Reign
From 2002, at the age of 19, through 2006, Kenenisa Bekele achieved an unprecedented feat by winning both the short (2.5 mile (4 km)) and long (7.5 mile (12 km)) races at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships for five consecutive years. No other runner in history has accomplished this double victory even once. After the IAAF eliminated the short course race in 2007, Bekele continued his reign by winning the long course race again in 2008.
His extraordinary success in these championships led to a remarkable collection of medals, totaling 11 individual senior gold medals (six in the long course and five in the short course). Additionally, he earned one senior silver medal in 2001, one junior gold medal in 2001, two team gold medals in 2004 and 2005, three team silver medals in 2002, 2003, and 2008, and one team bronze medal in 2006, accumulating a grand total of 19 medals in the World Cross Country Championships.
Bekele was renowned for his exceptional ability to unleash a powerful finishing kick at the end of long-distance races. A notable example occurred in Oslo in June 2003, where he rapidly accelerated to overtake Kenyan runner Abraham Chebii, winning the race in 12:52.26. His rivalry with fellow Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie became a highlight of the sport. While Gebrselassie managed to defeat Bekele in some earlier road and track events, Bekele consistently prevailed over him in major 10,000 m races, including the 2003 World Championships in Paris, the 2004 Athens Olympics, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2.1.2. Olympic and World Championships Breakthrough (2003-2004)
In 2003, Kenenisa Bekele made a significant impact on the track scene. At the World Championships in Paris, he secured the gold medal in the 10,000 m, defeating his mentor and compatriot Haile Gebrselassie by a mere second. He also earned a bronze medal in the 5000 m at the same championships. That same year, Bekele won the 5000 m gold medal at the All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria. His finishing speed was particularly impressive; in a race in Lausanne, he executed the final 656 ft (200 m) in the 24-second range and the last 328 ft (100 m) in the 11-second range.
The year 2004 proved to be a landmark for Bekele. Within a span of just nine days, he broke world records for the indoor 5000 m, outdoor 5000 m, and outdoor 10,000 m. He also continued his dominance in cross country, winning both the short and long course world cross country titles and leading Ethiopia to the senior men's team title. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Bekele further cemented his status as a global force by winning the gold medal in the men's 10,000 m and a silver medal in the men's 5000 m. His victory in the 10,000 m was particularly striking; he launched a long sprint from four laps out and further accelerated in the final 1312 ft (400 m) to pull away from Sileshi Sihine. His ascendancy in the 10,000 m even led Haile Gebrselassie, who had sought a third consecutive Olympic gold in the event, to shift his focus to the marathon after the Athens Games.
2.1.3. Personal Tragedy and Continued Success (2005)
On January 4, 2005, Kenenisa Bekele suffered a profound personal tragedy when his fiancée, 18-year-old Alem Techale, died of an apparent heart attack during a training run with him. Techale was a promising athlete herself, having been the 2003 World Youth Champion in the 1500 m and in excellent physical condition. Although an autopsy was performed, it did not reveal a conclusive cause of death, leading to some unfounded suspicions regarding drug use among athletes trained by their shared manager, Jos Hermens. Bekele, however, was not implicated in these discussions due to a lack of evidence.
Deeply affected by the loss, Bekele temporarily halted his training and experienced a slump, losing subsequent races. However, he gradually recovered his form. In March 2005, he lined up to defend his long and short course titles at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, winning both events despite a fast pace set by Qatari runner Saif Saaeed Shaheen in the short course and overcoming Eritrean Zersenay Tadese and Kenyan rival Eliud Kipchoge in the long course.
On August 8, 2005, Bekele claimed the gold medal in the 10,000 m at the World Championships in Helsinki, delivering a characteristic final 656 ft (200 m) spurt to secure the victory. Just over two weeks later, on August 26, 2005, he further solidified his dominance by setting a new 10,000 m world record of 26:17.53 at the 29th Memorial Van Damme meeting in Brussels. This performance shaved nearly three seconds off his previous world record, with consistent 16 K ft (5.00 K m) splits of 13:09 and 13:08. The race was exceptionally fast, with six runners finishing under 27 minutes, including Sammy Wanjiru who set a new world junior record of 26:41.75. By the end of 2005, Bekele's remarkable achievements led to him being voted the Track & Field News magazine athlete of the year for the second year in a row.
2.1.4. Beijing Olympics Double Gold (2008)
In 2006, when Kenenisa Bekele won the 3000 m at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow, he became the first athlete in history to simultaneously hold titles as an Olympic champion, world outdoor track champion, world indoor track champion, and world cross country champion. He also won five out of six IAAF Golden League events in the 5000 m that year, earning him 83.33 K USD in prize money.
On February 17, 2007, Bekele broke the indoor world record for the 6.6 K ft (2.00 K m) in Birmingham, United Kingdom, with a time of 4:49.99, aided by a spectacular final 984 ft (300 m) sprint. However, his incredible streak of 27 consecutive victories in cross country races came to an end on March 24, 2007, at the 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, Kenya. After leading for much of the race, he succumbed to the extremely hot and humid conditions, which caused over one-sixth of all competitors to drop out, and ultimately withdrew, leaving the victory to Eritrean Zersenay Tadese. This DNF (Did Not Finish) was met with cheers from the Kenyan crowd, an reaction that was widely criticized by the international athletics community. Bekele recovered from this rare setback to claim his third consecutive 10,000 m title at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, once again overcoming his compatriot Sileshi Sihine with a powerful kick in the final 492 ft (150 m).
On March 30, 2008, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Bekele secured his sixth World Cross Country title in the long course (7.5 mile (12 km)), breaking the previous record of five wins he had shared with Paul Tergat and John Ngugi. This victory made him the sole most decorated athlete in World Cross Country Championships history. His overall medal count across all categories (individual and team) at the World Cross Country Championships stands at 27 medals, including 16 gold, 9 silver, and 2 bronze.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kenenisa Bekele delivered a truly historic performance. On August 17, 2008, he won the gold medal in the 10,000 m final with a time of 27:01.17, setting a new Olympic Record. In a highly competitive race where 20 men finished under the 28-minute barrier, Bekele's renowned finishing kick was essential, as he ran the final 1312 ft (400 m) in 53.42 seconds. Six days later, on August 23, 2008, he dominated the 5000 m final, shattering Saïd Aouita's Olympic Record by almost eight seconds with a time of 12:57.82. He notably set much of the pace himself before unleashing a devastating finish: his last 9.8 K ft (3.00 K m) took only 7:35.53, his final 6.6 K ft (2.00 K m) 4:56.97, his last 5.2 K ft (1.60 K m) 3:57.01, and his final lap a punishing 53.87 seconds. By achieving the 10,000 m/5000 m double gold in Beijing, Bekele joined an exclusive group of athletes, including Hannes Kolehmainen (1912), Emil Zátopek (1952), Vladimir Kuts (1956), Lasse Virén (1972 and 1976), and Miruts Yifter (1980).
2.1.5. Berlin World Championships and Peak Performance (2009)
Kenenisa Bekele continued his reign at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, held in Berlin, Germany. He secured two more gold medals, triumphing in both the 5000 m (13:17.09) and the 10,000 m (26:46.31), which set a new World Championships Record. By achieving this double victory, he became the first man in history to win both long-distance track gold medals at the same World Championships. This accomplishment further underscored his exceptional combination of endurance and explosive speed, making him virtually unbeatable when in peak condition.
During the 10,000 m race, despite running behind Eritrean Zersenay Tadesse for a significant portion, Bekele transformed a seemingly close contest into a decisive victory with his final lap. An IAAF announcer, witnessing his overwhelming finishing kick, famously declared at the start of the last lap that "it is over, in fact it was over from the start" and concluded that Bekele was "probably the greatest distance runner we will ever see."
Despite his unparalleled success and numerous world records and titles, Kenenisa Bekele did not achieve the same level of mainstream recognition and marketability as other prominent athletes like Haile Gebrselassie or Usain Bolt. His quiet demeanor and preference for avoiding extensive interviews meant he was not as widely promoted in the Western world. Even Usain Bolt acknowledged that Bekele's immense achievements had not received the recognition they truly deserved within the global sports arena. In 2009, Bekele also managed to win all six IAAF Golden League events in the 5000m (including a 3000m race in Paris), earning him a prize of 333.33 K USD.
2.2. Injury and Comeback (2010-2013)
The period between 2010 and 2013 was a challenging one for Kenenisa Bekele, marked by significant injuries that hampered his performance, followed by persistent efforts to return to his elite form on both the track and in road races.
Kenenisa had a disappointing start to 2010, finishing fourth in the Great Edinburgh Cross Country race, an event he was favored to win. Subsequently, he was sidelined for the entirety of the indoor and outdoor seasons due to a ruptured calf muscle. He eventually returned to training in March 2011 after recovering from a knee injury.
Having not competed on the track since 2009, Bekele entered the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. Despite his anticipation, he was forced to drop out of the 10,000 m race with 10 laps remaining due to ongoing issues from his injuries and a lack of competitive practice. Consequently, he decided not to participate in the 5000 m event. However, demonstrating his resilience, Bekele made a remarkable comeback just two weeks later at the Ivo Van Damme Memorial in Brussels, where he ran the fastest 10,000 m time in the world for 2011, clocking 26:43.16.
His 2012 season began with another setback, as he finished a lowly eleventh at the Edinburgh Cross Country. However, in April, he showed signs of returning to form by winning the Great Ireland Run (6.2 mile (10 km) road race) in a new personal best time of 27:49, significantly improving the course record by 46 seconds. At the 2012 London Olympics, Bekele focused solely on the 10,000 m, aiming for a third consecutive gold. He remained within the leading group for the entire race but ultimately couldn't match Mo Farah's decisive sprint in the final 492 ft (150 m), finishing fourth with a time of 27:32.44, just 1.01 seconds behind his younger brother, Tariku Bekele, who took the bronze.
In 2013, Bekele continued his return to form. He won the Great Ireland Run for the second consecutive year. Later, he triumphed at the Great North Run half marathon, clocking 60:09, where he famously beat Mo Farah by a single second after a decisive move near the 12-mile mark, a race that also included his former rival Haile Gebrselassie.
2.3. Marathon Career (2014-present)
Kenenisa Bekele's transition to marathon running marked a new chapter in his career, characterized by a successful debut, periods of injury, and significant victories and records in prestigious events.
2.3.1. Marathon Debut and Early Challenges (2014-2015)
Kenenisa Bekele made his much-anticipated marathon debut at the 2014 Paris Marathon on April 6, 2014. His debut was remarkably successful, as he not only won the race but also set a new course record with a time of 2:05:04. This performance was particularly impressive as it surpassed the debut marathon times of legendary runners such as Haile Gebrselassie, Paul Tergat, and Samuel Wanjiru.
Following his impressive debut, Bekele competed in the 2014 Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2014, where he finished fourth in 2:05:51, approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds behind the winner, Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge. His early marathon career was also marked by challenges; on January 23, 2015, he had to withdraw from the Dubai Marathon after completing 19 mile (30 km). Furthermore, he was forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated 2015 London Marathon due to a persistent injury to his right Achilles tendon.
After an 11-month period of injury, Bekele returned to racing at the 2016 London Marathon. Despite indicating that he was only at 90% fitness and having only completed six weeks of specific marathon training following his injury, he managed to finish in third place with a time of 2:06:36, behind winner Eliud Kipchoge and runner-up Stanley Biwott. His performance was also hampered by missing his drinks at five different aid stations, as they were inadvertently used by the designated pacemakers.
2.3.2. Berlin and London Marathon Success (2016-2019)
On September 25, 2016, Kenenisa Bekele achieved a significant victory at the 2016 Berlin Marathon, winning with a time of 2:03:03. This marked a new personal best for him at the marathon distance and was, at the time, the second-fastest marathon ever recorded.
In 2017, Bekele continued to target world records. On January 19, he attempted to break the world record at the Dubai Marathon but withdrew after the halfway mark following a fall at the beginning of the race. On April 23, 2017, he finished second in the 2017 London Marathon, completing the race in 2:05:57, nine seconds behind the winner, Daniel Wanjiru. Bekele was also involved in a project aimed at breaking the two-hour barrier for the marathon, though various factors ultimately undermined this ambitious effort.
His 2018 season included the 2018 London Marathon in April, where he placed sixth with a time of 2:08:53. In October of the same year, he participated in the Amsterdam Marathon but had to withdraw due to injury with approximately 1.2 mile (2 km) remaining.
Kenenisa Bekele returned to his winning ways at the 2019 Berlin Marathon in September. He won the race in an extraordinary time of 2:01:41, which was then the second-fastest marathon time ever and just two seconds shy of the world record of 2:01:39 set by Eliud Kipchoge on the same course the previous year. Following this near-record performance, Bekele expressed his continued belief that he could still break the world record.
2.3.3. Continued Marathon Activity (2020-present)
On March 1, 2020, Kenenisa Bekele won the London Half Marathon in 60:22, improving upon the course record set by Mo Farah in 2019 by 1 minute and 18 seconds. Chris Thompson finished second with 61:07, also within the former course record.
In September 2021, Bekele returned to the 2021 Berlin Marathon, where he placed third in 2:06:47. The race was won by his compatriot Guye Adola, with Kenya's Bethwel Yegon finishing second. In November of that year, he finished sixth at the 2021 New York City Marathon with a time of 2:12:52.
In September 2022, he placed third at the Great North Run half marathon in 1:01:01. The following month, Bekele competed in the 2022 London Marathon, finishing fifth in 2:05:53 and notably setting a new masters world record for the age 40 group. In April 2023, he participated in the London Marathon but withdrew from the race after the 16 mile (25 km) mark. In October, Bekele announced his departure from the NN Running Team and a new sponsorship deal with Anta, a Chinese sports brand, replacing his long-standing partnership with Nike. In December 2023, Bekele competed in the Valencia Marathon. Despite falling behind the leading group before the 9.3 mile (15 km) mark, he finished fourth in 2:04:19, setting another M40 Masters World Record and becoming the first athlete over 40 to complete a marathon in under 2:05.
On April 21, 2024, the 41-year-old Bekele competed in the 2024 London Marathon, finishing second behind Alexander Mutiso Munyao with a time of 2:04:15, breaking his own Masters record by four seconds. He was subsequently selected to represent Ethiopia in the marathon at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This marked his fourth Olympic appearance and his first time competing in the marathon event at the Olympics since London 2012. He finished 39th in the Olympic marathon with a time of 2:12:24. Bekele also competed at the Valencia Marathon in December 2024, but did not finish the race.
3. Personal Life
Kenenisa Bekele was born into a family of six children, being the second eldest. His younger brother, Tariku Bekele, also became an accomplished world-class distance runner.
On November 18, 2007, Kenenisa Bekele married Ethiopian film actress Danawit Gebregziabher in Addis Ababa. He is known to be a devout Christian. While his official listed height is 69 in (174 cm) and weight is 146 lb (66 kg), some sources suggest his actual height is closer to 63 in (160 cm), noting his similar stature to Sileshi Sihine, who stands at 65 in (165 cm). Bekele has been associated with the athletics club of Muger Cement, a cement company.
4. Statistics
Kenenisa Bekele's career is marked by exceptional performances and numerous records across various running disciplines.
4.1. Personal Bests
| Type | Distance | Time (min) | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track | 3:32.35 | September 28, 2007 | Shanghai, China | | ||||
| 4:01.57 | February 3, 2006 | New York, NY, United States | | |||||
| 4:49.99 | February 17, 2007 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | World best | |||||
| 7:25.79 | August 7, 2007 | Stockholm, Sweden | | |||||
| 7:30.51 | February 20, 2007 | Stockholm, Sweden | | |||||
| 8:13.51 | May 26, 2007 | Hengelo, Netherlands | | |||||
| 8:04.35 | February 16, 2008 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | African best | |||||
| 12:37.35 | May 31, 2004 | Hengelo, Netherlands | Former World Record and African Record | |||||
| 12:49.60 | February 20, 2004| Birmingham, United Kingdom | Former World Record | |||||
| 26:17.53 | August 26, 2005 | Brussels, Belgium | Former World Record, Ethiopian Record | |||||
| Road | 27:49 | April 15, 2012| Dublin, Ireland | | ||||
| 42:42 | December 9, 2001| 's-Heerenberg, Netherlands | | |||||
| 1:00:22 | March 1, 2020| London, United Kingdom | Big Half course record | |||||
| Marathon | September 29, 2019| Berlin, Germany | Ethiopian Record | ||||
| April 21, 2024| London, United Kingdom | Masters world record (M40 group) |
4.2. Competition Record
Kenenisa Bekele's remarkable career is documented through his extensive results in major international competitions and marathons.
4.2.1. International Competitions
Note: XC stands for cross country
| Representing Ethiopia | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | World XC Championships | Belfast, United Kingdom | 2nd | Junior race (5.0 mile (8.012 km)) | 26:27 |
| World Youth Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 2nd | 3000 m | 8:09.89 | |
| 2000 | World Junior Championships | Santiago, Chile | 2nd | 5000 m | 13:45.43 |
| 2001 | World XC Championships | Ostend, Belgium | 2nd | Short race (2.5 mile (4.1 km)) | 12:42 |
| 1st | Junior race (4.8 mile (7.7 km)) | 25:04 | |||
| 2002 | World XC Championships | Dublin, Ireland | 1st | Short race (2.6 mile (4.208 km)) | 12:11 |
| 1st | Long race (7.5 mile (11.998 km)) | 34:52 | |||
| 2003 | World XC Championships | Lausanne, Switzerland | 1st | Short race (2.5 mile (4.03 km)) | 11:01 |
| 1st | Long race (7.7 mile (12.355 km)) | 35:56 | |||
| World Championships in Athletics | Paris, France | 3rd | 5000 m | 12:53.12 | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 26:49.57 | |||
| All-Africa Games | Abuja, Nigeria | 1st | 5000 m | 13:26.16 | |
| 2004 | World XC Championships | Brussels, Belgium | 1st | Short race (2.5 mile (4 km)) | 11:31 |
| 1st | Long race (7.5 mile (12 km)) | 35:52 | |||
| Olympic Games | Athens, Greece | 2nd | 5000 m | 13:14.59 | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 27:05.10 | |||
| 2005 | World XC Championships | Saint-Galmier, France | 1st | Short race (2.6 mile (4.196 km)) | 11:33 |
| 1st | Long race (7.5 mile (12.02 km)) | 35:06 | |||
| World Championships in Athletics | Helsinki, Finland | 1st | 10,000 m | 27:08.33 | |
| 2006 | World Indoor Championships | Moscow, Russia | 1st | 3000 m | 7:39.32 |
| World XC Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | 1st | Short race (2.5 mile (4 km)) | 10:54 | |
| 1st | Long race (7.5 mile (12 km)) | 35:40 | |||
| African Championships | Bambous, Mauritius | 1st | 5000 m | 14:03.41 | |
| IAAF World Cup | Athens, Greece | 2nd | 3000 m | 7:36.25 | |
| 2007 | World XC Championships | Mombasa, Kenya | - | Senior race (7.5 mile (12 km)) | DNF |
| World Championships in Athletics | Osaka, Japan | 1st | 10,000 m | 27:05.90 | |
| 2008 | World XC Championships | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | 1st | Senior race (7.5 mile (12 km)) | 34:38 |
| African Championships | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 1st | 5000 m | 13:49.67 | |
| Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 1st | 5000 m | 12:57.82 | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 27:01.17 | |||
| 2009 | World Championships in Athletics | Berlin, Germany | 1st | 5000 m | 13:17.09 |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 26:46.31 | |||
| 2011 | World Championships in Athletics | Daegu, South Korea | - | 10,000 m | DNF |
| 2012 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | 4th | 10,000 m | 27:32.44 |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | 39th | Marathon | 2:12:24 |
4.2.2. Marathons
| Event | Location | Result | Rank | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Paris Marathon | Paris, France | 1st | Marathon | 2:05:04 |
| Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:05:51 | |
| 2015 | Dubai Marathon | Dubai, UAE | DNF | Marathon | DNF |
| 2016 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 3rd | Marathon | 2:06:36 |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | Marathon | 2:03:03 | |
| 2017 | Dubai Marathon | Dubai, UAE | DNF | Marathon | DNF |
| London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | Marathon | 2:05:57 | |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | DNF | Marathon | DNF | |
| 2018 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 6th | Marathon | 2:08:53 |
| Amsterdam Marathon | Amsterdam, Netherlands | DNF | Marathon | DNF | |
| 2019 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | Marathon | 2:01:41 |
| 2020 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | DNS | Marathon | DNS |
| 2021 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 3rd | Marathon | 2:06:47 |
| New York City Marathon | New York, United States | 6th | Marathon | 2:12:52 | |
| 2022 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 5th | Marathon | 2:05:53 |
| 2023 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | DNF | Marathon | DNF |
| Valencia Marathon | Valencia, Spain | 4th | Marathon | 2:04:19 | |
| 2024 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | Marathon | 2:04:15 |
| Olympic Games | Paris, France | 39th | Marathon | 2:12:24 | |
| Valencia Marathon | Valencia, Spain | DNF | Marathon | DNF |
4.2.3. World Grand Prix and Other Major Events
Kenenisa Bekele has also achieved significant success in other major athletic events and circuit honors throughout his career.
In the World Grand Prix Finals (later known as World Athletics Finals), he secured the following results:
- 2001: Grand Prix Final, Melbourne, Australia - 2nd in 3000 m (7:54.39)
- 2003: World Athletics Final, Monaco - 1st in 3000 m (7:36.98)
- 2006: World Athletics Final, Stuttgart, Germany - 1st in 5000 m (13:48.62)
- 2009: World Athletics Final, Thessaloniki, Greece - 1st in 3000 m (8:03.79)
He also had strong performances in various road races and cross country events:
- IAAF Golden League jackpot winner: 2006, 2009
- Montferland Run (9.3 mile (15 km)): 2000, 2001
- Giro al Sas (6.8 mile (11 km)): 2001
- Memorial Peppe Greco (6.2 mile (10 km)): 2003
- Tilburg Warandeloop: 2000
- Cinque Mulini: 2002
- Lotto Cross Cup Brussels: 2002
- Oeiras International Cross Country: 2002, 2003
- Campaccio: 2002, 2004
- Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza: 2003
- Trofeo Alasport: 2003
- Cross Internacional de Itálica: 2003, 2004, 2007
- Cross Internacional de Venta de Baños: 2004
- Great Edinburgh International Cross Country: 2006, 2007, 2008
4.3. World Record Progression
Kenenisa Bekele has held or currently holds several world records across different running disciplines.
| Event | Record | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:49.60 | February 20, 2004 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | Former World Record (broken by Grant Fisher in February 2022) | ||||
| 12:37.35 | May 31, 2004 | Hengelo, Netherlands | Former World Record (broken by Joshua Cheptegei in August 2020) | ||||
| 26:20.31 | June 8, 2004 | Ostrava, Czech Republic | First World Record in the event | ||||
| 26:17.53 | August 26, 2005 | Brussels, Belgium | Former World Record (broken by Joshua Cheptegei in October 2020) | ||||
| 4:49.99 | February 17, 2007 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | World Best | ||||
| 8:04.35 | February 16, 2008 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | African Best | ||||
| 2:04:15 | April 21, 2024 | London, United Kingdom | Current Masters World Record |
5. Awards and Recognition
Kenenisa Bekele's career has been celebrated with numerous awards and he is widely regarded as one of the most impactful figures in the history of long-distance running.
5.1. Achievements and Impact
Kenenisa Bekele's dominant performances in track, cross country, and later, the marathon, have led many within the athletics community to consider him the greatest distance runner of all time. His ability to combine exceptional endurance with a devastating finishing sprint made him nearly impossible to defeat when he was at his peak. He made history by being the first athlete to win the World Indoor Track Championships, the World Outdoor Track Championships, and the World Cross Country Championships, demonstrating his versatility across different racing surfaces.
Despite his unparalleled success and a career filled with world records and Olympic and World Championship titles, Bekele did not always receive the same level of global mainstream appeal as some of his contemporaries, such as Haile Gebrselassie or Usain Bolt. This has often been attributed to his quiet demeanor and a general aversion to extensive media interviews, which may have limited his marketability in the Western world. Usain Bolt himself has publicly stated that Kenenisa Bekele's extraordinary achievements have not garnered the recognition they truly deserved. Nevertheless, his legacy is profound, inspiring future generations of runners and leaving an indelible mark on the sport of athletics.
5.2. Awards and Honors
Throughout his distinguished career, Kenenisa Bekele has received numerous awards and accolades:
- IAAF World Athlete of the Year: 2004, 2005
- Track & Field News Athlete of the Year: 2004, 2005
- Ethiopian Person of the Year: 2007/2008
- ESPN Africa's best athlete of the 21st century
5.3. Controversies
A notable controversy in Kenenisa Bekele's personal life involved the sudden death of his fiancée, Alem Techale, on January 4, 2005. Techale, an 18-year-old promising athlete who had been the 2003 World Youth 1500 m champion, died of an apparent heart attack while on a training run with Bekele.
While an autopsy was performed, it did not yield conclusive findings regarding the cause of her death. This lack of definitive information, coupled with the fact that Techale shared a manager, Jos Hermans, with Bekele and other prominent athletes, briefly fueled speculative discussions and suspicions regarding potential drug use among athletes in Hermans' training group. However, no evidence ever emerged to implicate Bekele in these discussions, and he was not found to be involved in any wrongdoing related to the circumstances of her death. The tragedy deeply affected Bekele, and he was often referred to as the "New Emperor of Sadness" following the incident.