Tragic Loss of Ethiopian Marathon Runner Ebrugual Melese

Ebrugual Melese, a renowned marathon runner from Ethiopia, passed away at 36 years old after a sudden illness during her training. Reports indicate that she fell ill in Addis Ababa while prepping for the Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon scheduled for May 24, and was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday, unfortunately, medics couldn’t save her.

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation expressed profound sorrow over her unexpected passing, extending their condolences to her family, friends, and fans. It’s always tough to lose someone so talented and dedicated.

Melese had a prosperous running career that spanned more than 15 years. She achieved remarkable success, ranking 6th among female marathon runners and 37th overall. Notably, she won the Shanghai International Marathon in both 2018 and 2019 and claimed victory at the Prague and Houston Marathons in 2015.

In 2013, she triumphed in the 10,000m event at the Ethiopian Championships. Moreover, at the Chicago Marathon in 2015, she secured second place with a remarkable time of 2:23:43, followed by fifth place the next year, and eighth at the 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:21:39. Her personal best marathon time, an impressive 2:19:36, was recorded during the Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon in 2018.

Finishing a marathon under 2:20 is considered a significant milestone in competitive running. Melese was known for her exceptional ability to remain at the front of the elite running pack, particularly in the last 10km of races. As noted by a source, she was undoubtedly a strong contender within the community.

Last competing in the Miyun Eco-Marathon in Beijing on May 25, 2025, she couldn’t finish the race. Just two months prior, she had taken second place in the Zurich-Marat-Barcelona Marathon. Sadly, she leaves behind a husband and two children.