Shitaye Gemechu (born 17 June 1980) is an Ethiopian

long-distance runner Long-distance running, or endurance running, is a form of continuous running over distances of at least . Physiologically, it is largely Aerobic exercise, aerobic in nature and requires endurance, stamina as well as mental strength. Within e ...

, who specializes in

marathon race The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road running, road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also w ...

s. Shitaye was the women's winner of the

Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon The Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon is a marathon held annually in Arizona on the Sunday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day that links three cities of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area: Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottsdale, and ...

for the years 2004 - 2006. She won the 2007 edition of the Treviso Marathon. Shitaye first came to prominence with a win at the 2001

Amsterdam Marathon The Amsterdam Marathon (branded TCS Amsterdam Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an annual marathon (42.195 km) in Amsterdam in the Netherlands since 1975. The road race has a Platinum Label from World Athletics. During the event, there a ...

. She went on to represent Ethiopia in the marathon at the

World Championships in Athletics The World Athletics Championships (until 2019 known as the World Championships in Athletics) are a biennial athletics competition organized by World Athletics (formerly IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federations). Alongside the Ol ...

four times consecutively from 2001 to 2007. Her best finish was seventh at the 2001 edition. She was banned for two years in 2009 after failing a test for

Erythropoietin Erythropoietin (; EPO), also known as erythropoetin, haematopoietin, or haemopoietin, is a glycoprotein cytokine secreted mainly by the kidneys in response to cellular hypoxia; it stimulates red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in the bo ...

(EPO) at a race in Luxembourg. She returned to competition in 2011 and placed fourth at the

Turin Marathon The Turin Marathon ( it, Maratona di Torino Gran Premio La Stampa) is an annual marathon race which takes place in Turin, Italy in November. History The first edition of the modern race was held in 1987, although other marathon competitions have ...

. At the 2012

Hong Kong Marathon The Hong Kong Marathon (香港馬拉松), sponsored by Standard Chartered, Standard Chartered Bank, is an annual marathon race held in January or February in Hong Kong. In addition to the full marathon, a 10 km run and a half marathon ar ...

she was runner-up to Misiker Demissie, crossing the line in a time of 2:31:44 hours in spite of a toe injury. She was runner-up to Ashu Kasim at the Lanzhou Marathon in June 2013. Her husband, Asnake Fekadu, is also a marathon runner.Zorzi, Alberto (2007-03-26)
Course records fall in Treviso
IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-05-02.

Achievements

Personal bests

Half marathon A half marathon is a road running event of —half the distance of a marathon. It is common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon or a 5K race, using almost the same course with a late start, an early finish or shortcu ...

- 1:10:46 hrs (2003) *

Marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...

- 2:26:15 hrs (2002)

References

External links

* __NOTOC__ {{DEFAULTSORT:Gemechu, Shitaye 1980 births Living people Ethiopian female long-distance runners Ethiopian female marathon runners Doping cases in athletics 20th-century Ethiopian women 20th-century Ethiopian people 21st-century Ethiopian women 21st-century Ethiopian people

Achievements

Personal bests

See also

References

External links