Haile Gebrselassie

Birth dateApr 18, 1973

BirthplaceAsella, Ethiopia

Height1.65 m

Weight56 kg

Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian former long-distance runner and one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport. He won two Olympic gold medals and four World Championship titles over the 10,000 metres, while also claiming four world indoor titles and the 2001 World Half Marathon Championship. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of all time.

Gebrselassie competed at the highest level across distances ranging from 1,500 metres to the marathon, excelling on the track, indoors, in cross country, and on the road. Over his career he set 27 world records and broke 61 Ethiopian national records, spanning from the 800 metres to the marathon. He won the 2008 Berlin Marathon in a world record time of 2:03:59, a mark that stood for three years. He also won the Berlin Marathon four consecutive times and had three straight victories at the Dubai Marathon.

Beyond athletics, Gebrselassie built a successful business career, contributing to economic development in Ethiopia. He was named one of the 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2011.

Key facts

5000 Metres Short Track

12:50.38

3000 Metres Short Track

7:26.15

2015 season best

30:05

May 10, 2015 · Manchester (GBR)

2015 season best

Medals

Olympic Games: 2 gold · World Championships: 4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze

Record

Area record · One Hour 21285

Area record

Age

53 years old

As of Sep 16, 2026: 5000 Metres Short Track 12:50.38, 3000 Metres Short Track 7:26.15, 2015 season best 30:05 (May 10, 2015, Manchester (GBR)) · Olympic Games: 2 gold · World Championships: 4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze · Area record (One Hour) · 53 years old

Personal bests

1:49.35

3:31.76

3:52.39

7:25.09

12:39.36

26:22.75

58:55

2:03:59

3:31.76

4:52.86

4:52.86

7:26.15

41:38

27:02

44:24

1:49.35

12:50.38

55:48

56:26.0HT

21285

8:01.08

8:04.69

1:11:37

🏅

Medals

	🥇	🥈	🥉	Total
Olympic Games	2	-	-	2
World Championships	4	2	1	7
Total	6	2	1	9

Performance Charts

Season bests

Season	Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Trend	Competitions
2015	10Kilometr	30:05	-	May 10, 2015	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2014	10Kilometr	30:00	-	Dec 7, 2014	↓	Singapore (SGP)
2013	4MilesRoad	17:31	-	Oct 13, 2013	-	-
2013	10Kilometr	28:00	-	May 26, 2013	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2013	10MilesRoa	47:00	-	May 19, 2013	↓	Bern (SUI)
2013	Semi	1:00:41	-	Sep 15, 2013	↓	Glasgow (GBR)
2012	10000m	27:20.39	-	May 27, 2012	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
2012	10Kilometr	27:39	-	May 20, 2012	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2012	Semi	1:00:52	-	Apr 15, 2012	↓	Wien (AUT)
2012	Marathon	2:08:17	-	Feb 26, 2012	↓	Tokyo (JPN)
2011	10Kilometr	28:08	-	Dec 31, 2011	↓	Luanda (ANG)
2011	15Kilometr	42:44	-	Nov 20, 2011	↑	Nijmegen (NED)
2011	Semi	1:00:18	-	Apr 17, 2011	↓	Wien (AUT)
2010	10Kilometr	28:02	-	May 16, 2010	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2010	Semi	59:33	-	Sep 19, 2010	↓	South Shields (GBR)
2010	Marathon	2:06:09	-	Jan 22, 2010	↓	Dubai (UAE)
2009	10Kilometr	27:39	-	May 17, 2009	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2009	10000m	28:22.3	-	Jun 1, 2009	↑	-
2009	Semi	59:50	-	Mar 14, 2009	↓	The Hague (NED)
2009	Marathon	2:05:29	-	Jan 16, 2009	↓	Dubai (UAE)
2009	OneHour	20822	-	Jun 1, 2009	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
2008	10000m	26:51.20	-	May 24, 2008	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
2008	15Kilometr	42:40	-	Nov 30, 2008	↑	Melbourne (AUS)
2008	Semi	59:15	-	Mar 16, 2008	↓	Lisboa (POR)
2008	Marathon	2:03:59	-	Sep 28, 2008	↓	Berlin Marathon
2007	10000m	26:52.81	-	May 26, 2007	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
2007	15Kilometr	42:36	-	Dec 2, 2007	↑	Heerenberg (NED)
2007	10Miles	45:23.8h	-	Jun 27, 2007	-	-
2007	20,000Metr	56:26.0h	-	Jun 27, 2007	-	Ostrava (CZE)
2007	Semi	59:24	-	Aug 5, 2007	↓	New York, NY (USA)
2007	Marathon	2:04:26	-	Sep 30, 2007	↓	Berlin Marathon
2007	OneHour	21285	-	Jun 27, 2007	↑	Ostrava (CZE)
2006	20Kilometr	55:48	-	Jan 15, 2006	-	Tempe, AZ (USA)
2006	Semi	58:55	-	Jan 15, 2006	↓	Tempe, AZ (USA)
2006	25Kilometr	1:11:37	-	Mar 12, 2006	-	Alphen aan den Rijn (NED)
2006	Marathon	2:05:56	-	Sep 24, 2006	↓	Berlin Marathon
2005	10Kilometr	27:25	-	May 22, 2005	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2005	15Kilometr	41:57	-	Nov 20, 2005	↑	Nijmegen (NED)
2005	10MilesRoa	44:24	-	Sep 4, 2005	↓	Tilburg (NED)
2005	Semi	1:01:33	-	Feb 6, 2005	↓	Granollers (ESP)
2005	Marathon	2:06:20	-	Oct 16, 2005	↓	Amsterdam Marathon
2004	3000m-short-track	7:29.34	-	Feb 15, 2004	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
2004	3000m	7:29.34	-	Feb 15, 2004	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
2004	2MilesShor	8:08.65	-	Feb 20, 2004	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2004	2Miles	8:08.65	-	Feb 20, 2004	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2004	5000m	12:55.51	-	Jul 30, 2004	↑	Crystal Palace, London (GBR)
2004	10000m	26:41.58	-	May 31, 2004	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
2003	3000m	7:28.29	-	Feb 28, 2003	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
2003	3000m-short-track	7:28.29	-	Feb 28, 2003	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
2003	2MilesShor	8:04.69	-	Feb 21, 2003	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2003	2Miles	8:04.69	-	Feb 21, 2003	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2003	5000m	12:54.36	-	Jul 4, 2003	↑	Paris-St-Denis Meeting Gaz de France
2003	10000m	26:29.22	-	Sep 5, 2003	↑	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
2002	10Kilometr	27:02	-	Dec 13, 2002	↓	Doha (QAT)
2002	Semi	59:41	-	Mar 24, 2002	↓	Lisboa (POR)
2002	Marathon	2:06:35	-	Apr 14, 2002	↓	London Marathon
2001	10000m	27:54.41	-	Aug 8, 2001	↑	IAAF World Championships, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
2001	10Kilometr	28:07	-	Sep 23, 2001	↓	Praha (CZE)
2001	15Kilometr	41:38	-	Nov 11, 2001	↑	Nijmegen (NED)
2001	Semi	1:00:03	-	Oct 7, 2001	↓	Bristol IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Bristol
2000	3000m	7:44.39	-	Aug 11, 2000	↑	-
2000	5000m	12:57.95	-	Aug 11, 2000	↑	Weltklasse Zürich
2000	10000m	27:18.20	-	Sep 25, 2000	↑	The XXVII Olympic Games
1999	1500m	3:33.73	-	Jun 6, 1999	↑	Stuttgart (GER)
1999	1500m-short-track	3:33.77	-	Mar 7, 1999	↓	IAAF World Indoor Championships, Green Dome, Maebashi (i)
1999	Mile	3:52.39	-	Jun 27, 1999	↑	Gateshead (GBR)
1999	3000m	7:26.03	-	Jun 10, 1999	↑	Helsinki (FIN)
1999	3000m-short-track	7:26.80	-	Jan 24, 1999	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
1999	2Miles	8:01.72	-	Aug 7, 1999	↓	Crystal Palace, London (GBR)
1999	5000m	12:49.64	-	Aug 11, 1999	↑	Weltklasse Zürich
1999	5000m-short-track	12:50.38	-	Feb 14, 1999	↑	Birmingham (GBR) (i)
1999	10000m	27:57.27	-	Aug 24, 1999	↑	IAAF World Championships, La Cartuja, Sevilla
1998	800m	1:50.39	-	Jan 30, 1998	↓	Dortmund (GER) (i)
1998	800m-short-track	1:50.39	-	Jan 30, 1998	↓	Dortmund (GER) (i)
1998	1500m-short-track	3:31.76	-	Feb 1, 1998	↓	Stuttgart (GER) (i)
1998	1500m	3:31.76	-	Feb 1, 1998	↑	Stuttgart (GER) (i)
1998	Mile	3:57.1	-	Jul 9, 1998	↑	-
1998	2000m	4:52.86	-	Feb 15, 1998	-	Birmingham (GBR) (i)
1998	2000Metres	4:52.86	-	Feb 15, 1998	-	Birmingham (GBR) (i)
1998	3000m	7:25.09	-	Aug 28, 1998	↑	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
1998	3000m-short-track	7:26.15	-	Jan 25, 1998	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
1998	5000m	12:39.36	-	Jun 13, 1998	↑	Helsinki (FIN)
1998	10000m	26:22.75	-	Jun 1, 1998	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
1997	800m-short-track	1:49.35	-	Feb 9, 1997	↓	Dortmund (GER) (i)
1997	800m	1:49.35	-	Feb 9, 1997	↓	Dortmund (GER) (i)
1997	1500m-short-track	3:32.39	-	Feb 2, 1997	↓	Stuttgart (GER) (i)
1997	1500m	3:35.92	-	May 23, 1997	↑	Stuttgart (GER) (i)
1997	Mile	3:57.6	-	Aug 22, 1997	↑	-
1997	3000m	7:26.02	-	Aug 22, 1997	↑	Bruxelles (BEL)
1997	3000m-short-track	7:31.27	-	Feb 14, 1997	↑	Karlsruhe (GER) (i)
1997	2Miles	8:01.08	-	May 31, 1997	↓	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
1997	5000m	12:41.86	-	Aug 13, 1997	↑	Zürich (SUI)
1997	5000m-short-track	12:59.04	-	Feb 20, 1997	↑	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
1997	10000m	26:31.32	-	Jul 4, 1997	↑	Oslo (NOR)
1996	1500m	3:34.64	-	May 19, 1996	↑	Rhede (GER)
1996	3000m-short-track	7:30.72	-	Feb 4, 1996	↑	Stuttgart (GER) (i)
1996	3000m	7:30.72	-	Feb 4, 1996	↑	Stuttgart (GER) (i)
1996	5000m	12:52.70	-	Aug 14, 1996	↑	Zürich (SUI)
1996	5000m-short-track	13:10.98	-	Jan 27, 1996	↑	Sindelfingen (GER) (i)
1996	10000m	27:07.34	-	Jul 29, 1996	↑	The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
1996	CrossCount	34:28	-	Mar 23, 1996	↓	24th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1995	3000m	7:35.90	-	Sep 9, 1995	↑	Monaco IAAF Grand Prix Final
1995	2Miles	8:07.46	-	May 28, 1995	↓	Kerkrade (NED)
1995	5000m	12:44.39	-	Aug 16, 1995	↑	Zürich (SUI)
1995	10000m	26:43.53	-	Jun 5, 1995	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
1995	CrossCount	34:26	-	Mar 25, 1995	↓	23rd IAAF/SNICKERS World Cross Country Championships
1994	1500m	3:37.04	-	Jul 30, 1994	↑	Hechtel (BEL)
1994	3000m	7:37.49	-	Aug 2, 1994	↑	Stade Louis II, Monaco (MON)
1994	5000m	12:56.96	-	Jun 4, 1994	↑	FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
1994	10000m	27:15.00	-	Jul 6, 1994	↑	Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne (SUI)
1994	10Kilometr	27:34	-	Apr 4, 1994	↓	-
1994	CrossCount	34:32	-	Mar 26, 1994	↓	22nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1994	15Kilometr	43:00	-	Nov 20, 1994	↑	Nijmegen (NED)
1993	5000m	13:03.17	-	Aug 16, 1993	↑	IAAF World Championships, Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart
1993	10000m	27:30.17	-	Jun 24, 1993	↑	Durban (RSA)
1993	CrossCount	27:54	-	Jan 17, 1993	↓	-
1992	5000m	13:36.06	-	Sep 19, 1992	↑	Olympic Stadium, Seoul (KOR)
1992	CrossCount	23:35	-	Mar 21, 1992	↓	20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1992	10000m	28:03.99	-	Sep 18, 1992	↑	Olympic Stadium, Seoul (KOR)
1991	CrossCount	24:23	-	Mar 24, 1991	↓	19th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

2015

1 performance

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	30:05	-	May 10	Manchester Great 10K, Manchester

2014

1 performance

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	30:00	-	Dec 7	Singapore 10 km, Singapore

2013

6 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
4MilesRoad	17:31	-	Oct 13	Groningen 4 Miles, Groningen
Semi	1:01:09	-	Oct 6	Glasgow Great Scottish Run, Glasgow
Semi	1:00:41	-	Sep 15	South Shields BUPA Great North Run, South Shields
10Kilometr	28:00	-	May 26	Manchester BUPA Great Run, Manchester
10MilesRoa	47:00	-	May 19	Bern Grand Prix, Bern
Semi	1:01:14	-	Apr 14	Vienna City Half Marathon, Wien

2012

4 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10000m	27:20.39	-	May 27	Hengelo Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, FBK Stadium, Hengelo
10Kilometr	27:39	-	May 20	Manchester BUPA Great Run, Manchester
Semi	1:00:52	-	Apr 15	Wien Catch Me if You Can Half Marathon, Wien
Marathon	2:08:17	-	Feb 26	Tokyo Marathon, Tokyo

2011

6 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	28:08	-	Dec 31	Luanda Corrida de Săo Silvestre, Luanda
15Kilometr	42:44	-	Nov 20	Nijmegen Zevenheuvelenloop, Nijmegen
Semi	1:01:29	-	Oct 23	Birmingham BUPA Half Marathon, Birmingham
10Kilometr	28:39	-	Sep 4	Knarvik 10 km, Knarvik
10Kilometr	28:10	-	May 15	Manchester BUPA Great Run, Manchester
Semi	1:00:18	-	Apr 17	Wien Catch Me If You Can Half Marathon, Wien

2010

5 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	28:05	-	Dec 31	Luanda Sao Silvestre, Luanda
Semi	59:33	-	Sep 19	South Shields BUPA Great North Run, South Shields
10Kilometr	28:02	-	May 16	Manchester Great Run, Manchester
10Kilometr	28:56	-	Apr 25	Madrid 10 km, Madrid
Marathon	2:06:09	-	Jan 22	Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon, Dubai

2009

7 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Semi	1:00:02	-	Oct 18	Porto Half Marathon, Porto
Marathon	2:06:08	-	Sep 20	Berlin Marathon
OneHour	20822	-	Jun 1	Hengelo Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, FBK Stadium, Hengelo
10000m	28:22.3	-	Jun 1	-
10Kilometr	27:39	-	May 17	Manchester Great Run, Manchester
Semi	59:50	-	Mar 14	The Hague City-Pier-City Half Marathon, The Hague
Marathon	2:05:29	-	Jan 16	Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon, Dubai

2008

7 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
15Kilometr	42:40	-	Nov 30	Melbourne Great Australian Run, Melbourne
Marathon	2:03:59	-	Sep 28	Berlin Marathon
10000m	27:06.68	-	Aug 17	The XXIX Olympic Games, National Stadium, Beijing
10000m	27:06.68	-	Aug 15	The XXIX Olympic Games, National Stadium, Beijing
10000m	26:51.20	-	May 24	Hengelo Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, FBK Stadium, Hengelo
Semi	59:15	-	Mar 16	Lisbon Half Marathon, Lisboa
Marathon	2:04:53	-	Jan 18	Dubai Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, Dubai

2007

7 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
15Kilometr	42:36	-	Dec 2	Heerenberg Montferland Run, Heerenberg
Marathon	2:04:26	-	Sep 30	Berlin Marathon
Semi	59:24	-	Aug 5	New York Nike Half Marathon, New York, NY
10Miles	45:23.8HT	-	Jun 27	Golden Spike IAAF Super Grand Prix, Ostrava
OneHour	21285	-	Jun 27	Golden Spike IAAF Super Grand Prix, Ostrava
20,000Metr	56:26.0HT	-	Jun 27	Golden Spike IAAF Super Grand Prix, Ostrava
10000m	26:52.81	-	May 26	Hengelo THALES FBK-Games, FBK Stadium, Hengelo

2006

6 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Marathon	2:06:52	-	Dec 3	Fukuoka International Marathon
Marathon	2:05:56	-	Sep 24	Berlin Marathon
Marathon	2:09:05	-	Apr 23	London Marathon
25Kilometr	1:11:37	-	Mar 12	Alphen aan den Rijn
Semi	1:00:08	-	Feb 5	Granollers Half Marathon, Granollers
Semi	58:55	-	Jan 15	Tempe Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Half Marathon, Tempe, AZ

Showing 1 - 50 of 237

Honours

🥇

Berlin Marathon

Marathon

2009

🥇

Berlin Marathon

Marathon

2008

The XXIX Olympic Games

10,000 Metres

2008

🥇

Berlin Marathon

Marathon

2007

🥇

Berlin Marathon

Marathon

2006

🥇

Fukuoka International Marathon

Marathon

2006

🥇

Amsterdam Marathon

Marathon

2005

The XXVIII Olympic Games

10,000 Metres

2004

🥇

Birmingham IAAF World Indoor Championships

3000 Metres Short Track

2003

🥈

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

2003

🥇

Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme

10,000 Metres

2003

🥉

London Marathon

Marathon

2002

🥇

Bristol IAAF World Half Marathon Championships

Half Marathon

2001

🥉

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

2001

🥇

Ethiopian Half Marathon Championships

Half Marathon

2001

🥇

The XXVII Olympic Games

10,000 Metres

2000

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

5000 Metres

2000

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

5000 Metres

1999

🥇

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

1999

🥇

IAAF World Indoor Championships

1500 Metres Short Track

1999

🥇

IAAF World Indoor Championships

3000 Metres Short Track

1999

🥇

Oslo Mobil Bislett Games

5000 Metres

1999

🥇

Roma Golden Gala

5000 Metres

1998

🥇

Monte Carlo Herculis-Zepter '98

3000 Metres

1998

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

5000 Metres

1998

🥇

Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme

3000 Metres

1998

🥇

Berlin ISTAF

5000 Metres

1998

🥇

Moskva IAAF Grand Prix Final

3000 Metres

1998

🥇

Oslo Mobil Bislett Games

3000 Metres

1998

🥇

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

1997

🥇

IAAF World Indoor Championships

3000 Metres Short Track

1997

24th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Senior Race

1996

🥇

The XXVI Olympic Games

10,000 Metres

1996

🥇

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

1995

🥇

Monaco IAAF Grand Prix Final

3000 Metres

1995

23rd IAAF/SNICKERS World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Senior Race

1995

🥉

22nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Senior Race

1994

21st IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Senior Race

1993

🥈

IAAF World Championships

5000 Metres

1993

🥇

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

1993

🥈

Durban African Championships

5000 Metres

1993

🥉

Durban African Championships

10,000 Metres

1993

🥉

Durban African Championships

10,000 Metres

1993

🥈

Durban African Championships

5000 Metres

1993

🥇

Seoul IAAF World Junior Championships

5000 Metres

1992

🥇

Seoul IAAF World Junior Championships

10,000 Metres

1992

🥈

20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country U20 Race

1992

19th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country U20 Race

1991

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Haile Gebrselassie's 5000 Metres Short Track personal best?

Haile Gebrselassie's 5000 Metres Short Track personal best is 12:50.38, set on Feb 14, 1999 in Birmingham (GBR) (i).

Which events does Haile Gebrselassie compete in?

Haile Gebrselassie competes in the 5000 Metres Short Track and 3000 Metres Short Track.

How did Haile Gebrselassie perform in 2015?

2015 season best: 30:05, set on May 10, 2015 in Manchester (GBR).

How many medals has Haile Gebrselassie won?

Haile Gebrselassie has won 2 Olympic Games medals and 7 World Championships medals.