Meselech Melkamu is one of the most bemedaled athletes in the history of our sport. Melkamu is one of a handful of women (six, I believe) who have broken 30 minutes for 10,000 meters. Her 29:53.80, in 2009 set the African record.
This interview was done by our dear friend and compatriot, Andy Edwards of Race Results News Service, prior to the HASPA Hamburg Marathon on April 17, 2016.
On April 17, Meselech Melkamu, whose PB, in her debut, mind you, is 2:21:01, destroyed the Hamburg CR of 2:24:14 (Netsanet Abeyo, 2012), with her fast from the start, 2:21:58.
Meselech went out in 1:11:04, coming back in 1:10:50! This, despite, tough winds, Meselech built on her lead over Sarah Chepchirchir, to the finish. Meselech told the IAAF afterwards that the Hamburg race was the “best of her career”. She now waits, with much hope for the Ethiopian selectors to reward her fine run with membership to the elite of the elite: the Ethiopian women who will run and represent their county in Rio!
