Aselefech Mergia

Aselefech Mergia (born 23 January 1985 in Woliso ) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specializes in road races.

Her breakthrough came in the fall of 2008, when she first won the silver medal at the World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro and then the Delhi Half Marathon in 1:08:17 h, the third fastest time of the year won.

In 2009 she was second in the RAK Half Marathon in 1:07:48 h over the full distance, they were then at the Paris marathon debut; where she finished second in 2:25:02 h to a victory at the World 10K Bangalore followed by winning the bronze medal in the marathon of the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in 2:25:32 h

In 2010 she was third, respectively in the RAK Half Marathon and the London Marathon, second at the World 10K Bangalore and won the Delhi Half Marathon.

The following year she won the Dubai Marathon. In a marathon of the World Championships 2011 in Daegu, they did not reach the target. Later in the season they won the Great South Run and was third in the Delhi Half Marathon.

In 2012 she defended her title in Dubai and remained as the first Ethiopian woman branded 2:20 h

The coached by Renato Canova 1.68 meters wide Mergia was also in the squad of the Ethiopian team for the Olympic Summer Games in 2012. In London, she put the Olympic marathon route back in 2:32,03 hours. Thus, it was ranked 42nd place of the Final Ranking.

Personal Best

• 3000 m: 8:54,42 min 14 June, 2008, Rabat
• 5000 m: 15:14,21 min 1 June 2008, Berlin
• 10,000 m: 32:34,09 min, June 26, 2010, Zhukovsky
• 10 - km road race: 31:25 min, November 9, 2008 New Delhi ( mean )
• Half Marathon: 1:07:21 h, November 27, 2011 New Delhi
• Marathon: 2:19:31 h, January 27, 2012 Dubai (former Ethiopian record )