Yalemzerf Yehualaw is an Ethiopian distance runner who burst onto the marathon scene with the fastest debut in women's history. At the 2022 Hamburg Marathon she ran 2:17:23 in her first marathon, then six months later won the 2022 London Marathon in 2:17:26 to become the youngest London Marathon champion at age 23.
Before her marathon transition Yehualaw was already one of the fastest half marathoners in history, with personal bests under 64 minutes. Her London victory was particularly memorable for the moment she stumbled over a speed bump near 20 miles before recovering to break the race open with a 4:59 24th mile.
She trains in Ethiopia and competes for adidas.