15 Facts About Ayele Abshero

Ayele Abshero Biza is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who mainly competes in cross country and road races.

Ayele Abshero came to prominence with a junior silver medal at the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships before taking the junior title in 2009.

Ayele Abshero won the 2008 Zevenheuvelenloop and 2011 Egmond Half Marathon races.

Ayele Abshero made the fastest-ever marathon debut in history at the 2012 Dubai Marathon, winning in a time of 2:04:23 hours, which was the fourth-fastest ever.

Ayele Abshero began to take running seriously in order to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Tessema Abshero, who is an accomplished marathon runner.

Ayele Abshero was inspired by the longevity and success of fellow Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie.

Ayele Abshero competed in the junior men's race and remained near the front in the later stages, eventually taking second place behind teammate Ibrahim Jeilan.

Ayele Abshero won the race in a personal best time of 45:15 minutes, defeating Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele and his brother Tariku Bekele.

Ayele Abshero began the following season with a win at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza race and won by a margin of thirteen seconds, finishing far ahead of senior cross country medallists Moses Mosop and Leonard Komon.

Ayele Abshero was the favourite to win the race and fulfilled the predictions, taking the junior gold medal ahead of the persevering Kenyan Titus Mbishei who had pushed the race tempo throughout.

Ayele Abshero finished the race in 24th position and, as the fifth finisher among the Ethiopians, his score did not count towards the team competition.

Ayele Abshero secured victory at the Egmond Half Marathon with half a minute to spare at the start of 2011, recording a time of 1:02:23 for his debut over the distance.

Ayele Abshero improved upon this soon after at the City-Pier-City Loop, where he recorded 59:42 minutes for fourth in a tightly contested race.

Ayele Abshero made his debut over the marathon distance, on a record-eligible course, at the 2012 Dubai Marathon in January.

Ayele Abshero's time was 30 seconds faster than the course record set by Haile Gebrselassie in 2008 and made him the fourth-fastest marathoner ever.