1. Shura Kitata Tola was born on 9 June 1996 and is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in the marathon and half-marathon.
18 Facts About Shura Kitata
1. 2.
Shura Kitata has raced in several World Marathon Majors, including the 2020 London Marathon, where he won the race in a time of 2:05:41, beating Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, and the 2018 London Marathon where he finished in second place behind him.
3.
Shura Kitata was born on 9 June 1996 near the capital of Ethiopia Addis Ababa on his family's farm.
4.
Shura Kitata wanted to become a doctor or a pilot but had to leave school in order to help his parents on the farm.
5.
In 2015, Shura went to a training camp in Addis Ababa run by Haji Adilo, and three months later, he debuted in the marathon distance at the Shanghai Marathon in China.
6.
Shura Kitata finished in a time of 2:08:53 behind Paul Lonyangata and Stephen Mokoka.
7.
Kipruto and Shura Kitata left the others behind; however, with 200m to go, Kipruto put in a strong finish to leave Shura Kitata in second place with a time of 2:10:20.
8.
On 2 January 2017, Shura Kitata again finished well in the Xiamen International Marathon, finishing third behind Lemi Berhanu and Mosinet Geremew in a time of 2:10:36.
9.
Shura Kitata finished with a time of 2:07:30, the second-fastest time on the course.
10.
Shura Kitata left Kelkile Gezahegn and Getu Feleke in the second half of the race.
11.
In 2018, Shura Kitata competed at his first World Marathon Majors race at the London Marathon.
12.
Shura Kitata finished in a "surprise" second place behind Kipchoge in a time of 2:04:49.
13.
Shura Kitata came second behind Lelisa Desisa by just two seconds to set a time of 2:06:01, the third fastest time on the course.
14.
Shura Kitata beat former half marathon world record holder Geoffrey Kamworor from Kenya.
15.
In 2019, Shura Kitata first raced at the Houston Half Marathon on 19 January, winning the event in a time of 1:00:11.
16.
Shura Kitata said it was a "real hard race" with "stiff competition" having finished just three seconds ahead of second-placed Jemal Yimer.
17.
Shura Kitata competed in two World Marathon Majors in 2019; the New York City Marathon and the London Marathon.
18.
Shura Kitata was involved in a sprint finish down The Mall and managed to beat Vincent Kipchumba to win the race in a time of 2:05:41.