Why we love Dubai Marathon women’s champion Worknesh Degefa
She took the spotlight at this morning's Dubai Marathon and nabbed the biggest prize in the world on her first attempt at 42.2. Why else should you love this athlete?
In case you missed it, this morning’s Dubai Marathon was a crazy one. The 42.2K race that unfolded on the streets of Dubai was one which many running fans hoped would produce a new men’s world record. It didn’t. The record hopeful, Kenenisa Bekele, got involved in a collision at the start line, went down hard and slowed to a jog before eventually dropping out of the race. Tamirat Tola instead stole the spotlight in the men’s race cruising into the finish in 2:04.11.
RELATED: Kenenisa Bekele drops out of wild Dubai Marathon
In the women’s race though, it was Ethiopian runner Worknesh Degefa who gave us a race to watch. The 26-year-old nabbed the win over the competitor who has captivated the Toronto crowd in 2015 and 2016 at the city’s waterfront marathon. For the Canadian audience watching, the race streamed live on Thursday night and viewers saw Degefa beat out two-time Toronto Waterfront Marathon champion Shure Demise by running 2:22:36 (Demise ran 2:22:57). Those watching saw Degefa cruise in effortlessly to break the tape in her first stab at the distance. We’re definitely excited to watch her run more marathons in the future. She’s not a new runner by any means but in case she has just popped up on your radar now, these are a few reasons why you’re about to become a big fan of this Ethiopian talent.
She stepped up to the 42.2K distance for the first time and won the Dubai Marathon.
That’s right, the 2017 Dubai Marathon was her first shot at the full marathon. While she has run several half-marathons before, this was a debut. A 2:22.36, for a first attempt is not too shabby– not to mention, she beat out a strong batch of women too.
Her half-marathon time is in the top ten best ever.
Going into this morning’s race, Degefa was new to the marathon but she was no stranger to elite road racing. Her half-marathon time is 1:06:14. That puts her in the top ten fastest female half-marathons ever. Actually, she’s number eight. This runner was absolutely one to be intimidated by for others standing with her at the start line in Dubai.
She just took home the biggest prize in competitive road running.
If you’re a strong marathon runner and you want to get rich, the Dubai Marathon is the best place to take a shot at the massive prize purse. The marathon first-place prize is the largest sum in the sport. In just over two hours and 20 22 minutes, Degefa earned herself $200K. That’s a nice pay day!
Her stride is enough to make any runner jealous.
For those who watched her, she took the Dubai win without struggle. She looked strong and comfortable with smooth running form. Jealous much?
Degefa’s marathon in Dubai was the 12th fastest debut the world has ever seen.
Her half-marathon is the eighth fastest ever and her debut was number 12 on the list of world’s fastest female first-timers. Seriously, this athlete has won herself some major bragging points.
She’s proof that smaller stature doesn’t mean less power.
If you watched her cross the finish line, you may have noticed that this athlete is quite small. If anyone has ever questioned the strength of petite athletes, Degefa just squashed all doubts. She may be shorter, but there’s a lot of power packed into that small frame.
At 26, she has broken 1:09 in the half-marathon 13 times already
Enough said. And her marathon career has only just begun… Who else has her on their list of must-watch runners?
She’s coached by a legend who creates Boston champions
So who is behind this athlete exactly? Gemedu Dedefo. Recognize the name? He only coached both of last year’s Boston Marathon champions… In 2016 in Boston, Atsede Baysa and Lemi Berhanu Hayle nabbed the win at North America’s most prestigious race. Degefa is coached by the same person as them.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
