Zersenay Tadese
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About
Eritrean long-distance track and road running athlete who held the men's half-marathon world record from 2010 to 2018. He was the first ever Eritrean Olympic medalist, winning the bronze medal in the 10,000 meter race at the 2004 Athens Olympics. His 20-km title at the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships also made the first Eritrean athlete to win a world championship event.
Before Fame
He competed at his first IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in May 2002, finishing just outside the top twenty runners.
Trivia
He is a four-time Olympian, and has had four consecutive victories in the World Half Marathon Championships. He is a two-time gold medalist at the All-Africa Games. He was especially successful in the year 2007, in which he earned the title of World Champion for Cross Country running.
Family Life
His brother, Kidane Tadese, is also a professional long-distance runner. He and Merhawit Solomon were married in November 2008.
Associated With
He raced against Kenenisa Bekele in the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, his first time participating in the international athletics circuit.