Published: February 27, 2026 · Tedros Editorial
Gesahegn Ayele wins the 2026 Tel Aviv half-marathon
The result
Gesahegn Ayele, a Maccabi Tel Aviv athlete and Israel's long-distance running record holder, won the half-marathon at the 2026 Tel Aviv Marathon, finishing in 1:03:24.
Background
Ayele immigrated to Israel at age 13, of Ethiopian descent, from a village near Gondar. He developed into one of Israel's leading long-distance runners and holds the national record in the discipline.
Why it matters to the community
An athletic achievement like Ayele's joins a growing list of community figures succeeding on the national stage — a story that highlights another path to success, alongside academia, politics and culture.