Lelisa Desisa

Ethiopian

Age

Coach

Haji Adilo

Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU on Pexels

2×

World Championship Medal

3×

World Major Win

THE STORY

Lelisa Desisa Benti is an Ethiopian marathon runner born on 14 January 1990 in the Shewa zone of Oromia. He ran 2:04:45 at his marathon debut in Dubai in January 2013, finishing with the world's fastest debut marathon at that time.

Desisa won the Boston Marathon in 2013 (2:10:22) and 2015 (2:09:17) and the New York City Marathon in 2018 (2:05:59). He won the marathon at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha in 2:10:40 in severe heat, becoming the first man to win Boston, New York, and the World Championships marathon. He finished runner-up at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow.

He trains under coach Haji Adilo in Ethiopia, the same group that has developed multiple international marathon champions. After focusing on business and family following his 2019 title, Desisa returned to competition at the 2025 Dubai Marathon.

PERSONAL BESTS

MarathonMarathon debut

2:04:45

DubaiJan 25, 2013

Half Marathon

59:30

New DelhiNov 27, 2011

CAREER TIMELINE

2019

World Championship Gold in Doha

Won the World Athletics Championships marathon in Doha, running 2:10:40 in 32-degree heat. Became the first man to hold Boston, New York, and World Championship marathon titles.

2018

New York City Win

Won the New York City Marathon in 2:05:59, collecting his third World Major title.

2015

Second Boston Title

Won the Boston Marathon a second time in 2:09:17, confirming his status as one of the most consistent major marathon runners of his era.

2013

Dubai Debut and Boston Win

Ran 2:04:45 on his marathon debut in Dubai, then won the Boston Marathon in April — two World Major results in his first year on the road.

2013

World Championships Silver

Finished second at the World Athletics Championships marathon in Moscow behind Jared Ward.