Haftom Welday | My Journey to Los Angeles
My Goals
- 2021: Move to Hamburg – done!
- 2022: Get German citizenship – done!
- 2022:Â Best running time – in Berlin done!
- 2022: Admission to the national squad – I’m in!
- 2023: World Athletics Championships in Budapest – 15th Place!
- 2024: Run personal best times,
half marathon ✓, 10 km ✓ - 2028: Take part in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles
My Best Results
| Marathon | 2:08:24 | Valencia, Dec. 3, 2023 |
| Halbmarathon | 1:02:47 | Hamburg, Apr. 30, 2024 and Berlin, Aug. 22, 2021 |
| 10 km | 0:29:06 | Manchester, May 24, 2024 |
| 5 km | 0:13:32 | Lausanne, Oct. 2, 2021 |
My Best Results
| Marathon | 2:08:24 | Valencia, 3/12/2023 |
| Halbmarathon | 1:02:47 | Hamburg, 30/4/2024 and Berlin, 22/8/2021 |
| 10 km | 0:29:06 | Manchester, 24/5/2024 |
| 5 km | 0:13:32 | Lausanne, 2/10/2024 |
Fastest German in Hamburg
It was really nice to run a marathon in my hometown of Hamburg again. At the 30th hella hamburg half marathon on Sunday (June 30th) I was able to match my previous personal record time (1:02:47). As the roads were wet and at times quite slippery, I was very happy with this result in this phase of my training. Especially as I was also the fastest German runner in the race. At the end of May, I ran a personal best 10K in Manchester (29:06), so I’m in good shape!
I’m now planning another half marathon in August, which, like the Hamburg race, will mainly serve as a preparation for a very fast marathon in the fall.
A big thank you to the organizers of the hella hamburg marathon for this great race, to all my supporters and to my team! Los Angeles 2028 is still our goal!
My Journey
My journey has been unusual. As a young person in my old East African homeland of Tigray, I enjoyed playing soccer with my friends. But running? No! I had no desire to do that back then.
In 2014, fleeing war and violence, I left my old home in Tigray. My dangerous trip took me through the Sahara and across the Mediterranean to Europe. I thank God that I survived the journey!
My Journey
My journey has been unusual. As a young person in my old East African homeland of Tigray, I enjoyed playing soccer with my friends. But running? No! I had no desire to do that back then.
In 2014, fleeing war and violence, I left my old home in Tigray. My dangerous trip took me through the Sahara and across the Mediterranean to Europe. I thank God that I survived the journey!
Press
An Encouraging Year!
A highlight of the year: in Valencia with my great role model, friend and competitor Kenenisa BekeleI have had a good year. I learned new types of training, worked very hard, took part in a world championship for the first time, made new friends and achievedn a new...
Flying Finish in Budapest
photo: IMAGO/EibnerFlying Finish in Budapest 15th place in the marathon race at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest - I can definitely be happy with the results of my first competition for the German national team. I am especially encouraged by the fact that...
I Have Been Nominated for the World Athletics Championships!
Mark the 27th of August on your calendar! On that Sunday, I will be competing for Germany in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. It will be my debut wearing the German national team kit, and I am very proud and happy that the DLV nominated...