Haftamu Abadi
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Born | March 25, 2004 |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Events | Long-distance running (10K, Half Marathon, Marathon) |
Haftamu Abadi (born March 25, 2004) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in road races ranging from 10 kilometres to the marathon. He came to international attention after winning the 2025 Vienna City Marathon, becoming the youngest male winner in the event's history.[1][2]
Early life and background
Haftamu was born in Ethiopia on 25 March 2004. He began appearing in international competitions in his late teens, primarily in long-distance road races.[3]
Career
In 2024, he represented Ethiopia at the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, competing in the men's half marathon. He placed fifth in the event.[4]
On 6 April 2025, he claimed his first major victory by winning the 42nd Vienna City Marathon. He crossed the finish line in 2:08:28, setting a personal best and improving his previous mark by more than two minutes. The race took place in unseasonably cold weather, with temperatures at the start around 2°C.[1] His win made him the youngest male champion in the history of the Vienna City Marathon, which has been held annually since 1984.[2][5][6] He also won the Ljubljana marathon in Slovenia on 19 October 2025, making it so that he won two marathons in one year[7]. He crossed the finish line with a time of 2:06:52, again setting a personal best and improving his previous mark by almost two minutes.
Personal life
Following his marathon victory in Vienna, he made a public expression of gratitude on social media, referencing his Christian faith. In a post, he credited the Virgin Mary for his success.[8] Media coverage noted that he displayed a religious image, made the sign of the cross, and knelt in prayer after crossing the finish line.[8]
Personal bests
As of June 2026, his personal best times are as follows:[9]
- 10K Road – 27:38 (set at Herzogenaurach in Germany)
- Half Marathon – 59:56 (set at Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates)
- Marathon – 2:05:58 (set in Seoul, Korea, on 15 March 2026)
References
- 1 2 "An ice cold surprise by Haftamu Abadi and Betty Chepkemoi in Vienna". Race News Service. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- 1 2 "Abadi and Chepkemoi Shine in Cold Vienna Marathon with Breakthrough Wins". Watch Athletics. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Haftamu GEBRESILASE | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ "Sabastian Sawe, the man to watch at Prague Half Marathon". Athletics News. April 5, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Vienna Marathon 2025: All results and times - complete list". Olympics.com. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Ethiopian Runner Makes History as Youngest Man To Win Vienna Marathon". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Winners". ljubljanskimaraton.si. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- 1 2 "Vienna Marathon Winner Publicly Thanks the Virgin Mary - ZENIT - English". ZENIT. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Haftamu GEBRESILASE". World Athletics. Retrieved May 12, 2025.