This Is: Degitu Azimeraw

On an overcast morning in October 2019, Degitu Azimeraw lined up on the red and white track of Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium. 20-years-old, while the camera panned to the established names in the middle, Azimeraw took her place on the periphery, head held high contemplating what was to come.

For months, years even, she had asked her coach Tessema Abshero:

When can I run the marathon?

The first few requests were quickly shut down, still then a teenager it is highly unusual to see athletes so young making the step up to the longest distances. For some it takes a whole career to adjust to the punishing demands of 42.2km. 

These things take time, Abshero repeated.  

Anyone who has joined his group will know, rushing into things couldn’t be further from the mould. Everything is part of a long-term plan with many new joiners spending months doing nothing but easy running and gym work before Abshero deems their body ready to step up to the full programme.  

Azimeraw was no exception. After joining the group in 2017, for 18 months, twice weekly she carried out her exercises to strengthen the glutes, calf and hip.

While interval sessions would take their place it was this physio work that would provide the backbone.  

Week in, week out.  

Occasionally young athletes will be rewarded for their discipline by a race abroad, a check-in to see how they are adapting to their new training environment. A chance to learn some racing craft and prepare them for the bigger days ahead.  

It was in the first of these that Azimeraw showed Abshero she may be a little bit different.  

Travelling to India for the Kolkata 25km in December 2017, a few weeks before her 19th birthday, the native of the Amhara region in the north of Ethiopia lined up with little expectations placed on her, other than the usual pressure she puts on herself.  

Helah Kiprop, the silver medalist in the 2015 World Championships marathon was a favourite but plenty of others ten years Azimeraw’s senior laid their own claims at what is traditionally one of the world’s fastest 25km races.  

A testing introduction without doubt.  

Yet despite this in the rising heat of West Bengal, with each step Azimeraw grew with confidence. Four still there with  five km to go, it wasn’t until 600m remained that the challenger made her move.  

A devastating turn of final speed, Azimeraw broke the tape in 1:26:01, a sprint finish turning into a procession as she crossed three seconds clear of Kiprop.  

The heat of Kolkata meant the time in itself wasn't one which sent shockwaves through the running world. Azimeraw would have to wait a few years for that but it was a run which made her coach think.  

Already excelling over the longer distances, Azimeraw returned to Ethiopia and continued her development. Two months later, she debuted over the half.

Perhaps the world’s most competitive, at the RAK Half in the United Arab Emirates, Azimeraw chased home the leaders to finish sixth. 66:47 remains one of the fastest introductions to the distance in history.  

Still she continued to build, her calls for a marathon debut growing with confidence month by month.  

One year later, on her return to the same race, she chipped off 40 more seconds.  

With that performance round Al Marjan Island came the final chink in the armour that was Abshero's defence of her marathon ambitions.  

It was time for Azimeraw to get her 42.2km debut.  

And so we arrived to that start line in Amsterdam, that tartan track and the 26.2 miles of leafy canals, imposing monuments and fast feet paying its various sights little notice.  

To those unfamiliar, outside the World Marathon Majors and Valencia, Amsterdam sits not far beneath - on the highest echelons of world-class marathoning.

Past winners include Haile Gebrselassie and Tamirat Tola. The world record over the distance was even set there in 1980 by Dutch legend Gerard Nijboer.  

For Azimeraw it was out of the frying pan and into the fire.  

An introduction that for Abshero would serve the lesson well. If marathon running was what Azimeraw was truly after, it was on this level that she would have to learn to compete.  

Abshero himself was halfway across the world as Azimeraw made those first tentative steps, himself looking after a group of athletes competing in Delhi.

As the sun rose in the Netherlands it reached its height in India.  

Azimeraw once again went off with intention. By 20km, the banks of the Amstel River skirting their feet, she was one of five women all running at under course record pace. An eager start, if not untypical for a debutant.  

At some point the marathon would start to bite. It always finds a way.  

Back in India, post-race media duties complete, Abshero settled back at the hotel. Yalemzerf Yehualaw had just made her half marathon debut, running 66:01 in tough conditions and talk continued of just what an exciting runner they had on their hands.  

His phone started to buzz. Amsterdam was over. 2:21, 2:22 he thought to himself as he opened his WhatsApp. That would be a good result for Azimeraw’s marathon debut.  

That would indeed.  

What had actually happened occurred largely just before 40km. Entering Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s running oasis, her legs started to loosen.  

The moments breath between her taps on the ground growing imperceptibly shorter. Behind her, compatriot Tigist Girma started to grimace.  

As many expected Azimeraw to slow, the 20-year-old was in fact getting faster.  

By the end of the park the race was run, Azimeraw striding back to the Olympic Stadium alone. 

30 seconds behind was her fellow Ethiopian, the sub 2:20 barrier closing seconds after. 

Azimeraw had won in 2:19:26. 

For Abshero all those miles away, as he opened the message a wry smile greeted his face.  

She was different after all.  

Azimeraw would go on two years later to finish second in the London Marathon, lowering her best to 2:17:58 in the process.  

Time away in 2022-2023 to start a family has seen her return with vigour, winning Barcelona with another sub 2:20 clocking in March 2024. 

Most recently Azimeraw was almost four minutes quicker than her win in 2017 to clock 1:22:20 at the Kolkata 25km and now once more she has her eyes on major marathon glory.  

Still only 27, Azimeraw’s self-confidence is still there.

Wanting to do her young family proud, though the outcome intended is the same, the motivation is only stronger.  

Once more Azimeraw is asking Abshero where her next marathon will be. 

On 2 March, she will line up at the Tokyo Marathon, an Abbott World Marathon Major renowned for its fast course and elite competition.

In a country that treasures long-distance running, Azimeraw will aim to build on her remarkable comeback, chasing glory amidst Tokyo’s iconic landmarks. With her coach Abshero’s guidance and her family’s support, the rising sun of Japan may illuminate her brightest chapter yet.