‘Right now the win is not for me but for my country. I’m happy to get my country mentioned in this context,’ says Ethiopian Jewish athlete.
By Jewish Breaking News
Israeli marathoner Haimro Alame delivered a resounding victory for his nation as he crossed the Chevron Marathon finish line in downtown Houston.
A dominant figure in marathon running with a personal best of 2:06:04, Alame entered Sunday’s race as the clear favorite, with none of his competitors having finished a marathon within 30 seconds of his best time. His closest challenger, 26-year-old Eritrean Yemane Haileselassie, had never run faster than 2:11.
While Alame’s winning time of 2:08:17 fell short of his personal best, it was enough to secure an eight-second victory over a surging Haileselassie. As he broke the tape, Alame celebrated with unbridled joy by waving Israel’s flag. It was what would mark the first Israeli victory in the Houston Marathon’s history.
“My country is going through tough times,” Alame told the Houston Chronicle after the race. “Right now the win is not for me but for my country. I’m happy to get my country mentioned in this context.”
Born into an Ethiopian Jewish family, Alame immigrated to Israel two decades ago with his parents and siblings. His victory restored East African dominance to the Houston podium, which had been briefly interrupted last year when Morocco’s Zouhair Talbi set a course record of 2:06:39.
“I felt strong,” Alame said. “I praise G-d that I was able to follow my plan.”
👟 Congrats to Haimro Alame, the winner of the men’s Chevron Houston Marathon! 💯 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/0cjxmQtvz2
— Charly Edsitty (@CharlyABC13) January 19, 2025