12 Facts About Tiki Gelana

Erba Tiki Gelana is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in marathon races.

Tiki Gelana won the 2011 Amsterdam Marathon and the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon.

Tiki Gelana won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics with a time of 2:23:07, a new Olympic record.

Tiki Gelana began competing in road races in Ethiopia and came fourth at the 2004 Great Ethiopian Run.

Tiki Gelana went to Catalonia in Spain in 2006 and made her debut over the half marathon distance, including wins in Mataro and Terrassa.

Tiki Gelana won the San Silvestre Barcelonesa 10K race at the end of the year.

Tiki Gelana won the 2008 Women First 5K in Addis Ababa in March, then came fourth at the high-profile World 10K Bangalore in May Tiki Gelana debuted on the European track and field circuit that summer and set a 5000 metres best of 15:17.74 minutes at the Internationales Stadionfest and a 10,000 metres best of 31:27.80 minutes at the Ostrava Golden Spike.

In late 2008, Tiki Gelana took sixth place at the Delhi Half Marathon with a time of 1:10:22 hours, but she was two minutes slower at the 2009 RAK Half Marathon, finishing 16th.

Tiki Gelana improved her personal best at the Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon in February 2012, going unchallenged to win the race in 1:08:48 hours.

Tiki Gelana broke the Ethiopian record at the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon, completing a solo run of 2:18:58 hours to win the race almost five minutes ahead of runner-up Valeria Straneo.

Tiki Gelana was selected to represent Ethiopia in the Olympic marathon as a result.

Tiki Gelana was chosen at the AIMS World Athlete of the Year Award for her performances that year.