Letesenbet Gidey

Ethiopian long-distance runner who broke world records and champions women's empowerment through sports

Letesenbet Gidey (born 1997) is a trailblazing Ethiopian distance runner whose achievements redefine human potential. In October 2020 at the Valencia World Record Day, she shattered the women's 10,000m world record with a time of 29:01.03 - a mark that remains unbeaten. This historic performance followed her 2019 World Championship gold medal and set the stage for her historic 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign.

Beyond track achievements, Gidey uses her platform to advocate for girls' education and athletic opportunities. She founded the Letesenbet Gidey Foundation in 2021 to build running tracks and sponsor female athletes in Ethiopia. Her 'Run for Education' initiative has directly impacted over 500 rural schools through sport-based scholarships.

Her training philosophy emphasizes community collaboration - working with physiotherapists from Addis Ababa University and nutritionists from Harambe Athletics. Notable collaborations include a 2022 partnership with Nike for specialized footwear development tailored to African runners' biomechanics.

Gidey's influence extends globally through her UN Women ambassador role since 2021. She spearheaded the 'Run for Equality' campaign that mobilized 2 million participants across 47 countries during the 2022 International Women's Day. Her TED Talk 'How Running Became My Tool for Change' has garnered 8.7 million views.

In 2023, she pioneered the first all-female Ethiopian marathon team to compete in the Boston Marathon, breaking participation barriers. Her autobiography 'Running Toward Freedom' details her journey from a rural village to global icon. Current projects include a planned documentary series 'Tracks to Tomorrow' filming across East Africa.