Biruktayit Degefa
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Biruktayit Eshetu Degefa |
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Born | 29 September 1990 Ethiopia |
| Occupation | long-distance runner |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Sport | |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Marathon, Half marathon, 10K Road |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests |
|
Biruktayit Eshetu Degefa (born 29 September 1990) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner specialising in the marathon and half marathon. She is best known for her three victories at the Houston Marathon and holds a marathon personal best of 2:21:34.
Career
Degefa began competing internationally on the road in the mid-2010s, quickly marking herself with major wins. In 2014, she claimed her first title at the Sydney Marathon in Australia, finishing in 2:29:42.[1]
Her association with the Houston Marathon started in 2016, when she won in 2:26:07.[2][3] After placing second in 2017 (2:30:44),[1] she reclaimed the title in 2018 (2:24:51) and successfully defended it in 2019 with a then–personal best of 2:23:28.[4][5] She became only the third woman in the race’s history to win three titles.
In 2022, Degefa ran 31:23 for 10 km at the Cooper River Bridge Run in April and set a half marathon best of 1:09:41 in Berlin in October. She then lowered her marathon PB to 2:21:34 at the Valencia Marathon in December, finishing 11th in a deep field.[6][7]
Personal bests
- Marathon: 2:21:34 (Valencia, 4 December 2022)[6]
- Half marathon: 1:09:41 (Berlin, 2 October 2022)[6]
- 10 Kilometres Road: 31:23 (Cooper River, 2 April 2022)[6]
Achievements
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sydney Marathon | Sydney, Australia | 1st | 2:29:42[1] |
| 2016 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 1st | 2:26:07[2] |
| 2017 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 2nd | 2:30:44[1] |
| 2018 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 1st | 2:24:51[1] |
| 2019 | Houston Marathon | Houston, United States | 1st | 2:23:28[4] |
References
- ^ a b c d e "Runner: Degefa Eshetu Biruktawit". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Houston Marathon 2016 Results". Watch Athletics. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Ethiopia's Gebo Burka, Biruktayit Degefa take Houston Marathon titles". Houston Chronicle. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Biruktayit Degefa of Ethiopia Retains Her Title At Houston Marathon". Ethio Sports. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Biruktayit Degefa enjoys women's hat trick in Houston Marathon". Houston Chronicle. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Eshetu Degefa, Biruktayit". RRM Online Guide. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Valencia Marathon". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 June 2025.