Biruktayit Degefa
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29 September 1990
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | USA |
| Born | Biruktayit Eshetu Degefa 29 September 1990 |
| Occupation | long-distance runner |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | Marathon, Half marathon, 10K Road |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests |
|
Biruktayit Eshetu Degefa (born 29 September 1990) is an American long-distance runner specialising in the marathon and half marathon. She is best known for her three victories at the Houston Marathon and holds a marathon personal best of 2:21:34.
Degefa began competing internationally on the road in the mid-2010s, quickly marking herself with major wins. In 2014, she claimed her first title at the Sydney Marathon in Australia, finishing in 2:29:42.[1]
Her association with the Houston Marathon started in 2016, when she won in 2:26:07.[2][3] After placing second in 2017 (2:30:44),[1] she reclaimed the title in 2018 (2:24:51) and successfully defended it in 2019 with a then–personal best of 2:23:28.[4][5] She became only the third woman in the race's history to win three titles.
In 2022, Degefa ran 31:23 for 10 km at the Cooper River Bridge Run in April and set a half-marathon best of 1:09:41 in Berlin in October. She then lowered her marathon PB to 2:21:34 at the Valencia Marathon in December, finishing 11th in a deep field.[6][7]