Buzunesh Deba Home: Arsi, Ethiopia/Bronx, New York, USA Bib: #F10 Pronunciation: BOO-zoo-nesh DEE-bah Birthdate: 8 September 1987 Personal Best: 2:23:19 (New York City, 2011)

World Marathon Majors:

03Nov13	ING New York City Marathon	2nd	2:25:56
06Nov11	ING New York City Marathon	2nd	2:23:19
07Nov10	ING New York City Marathon	10th	2:29:55
01Nov09	ING New York City Marathon	7th	2:35:54

Additional Marathon Highlights:

13Jan13	Chevron Houston Marathon	2nd	2:24:26
05Jun11	Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon	1st	2:23:31 CR
20Mar11	Honda Los Angeles Marathon	1st	2:26:34
05Dec10	California International Marathon	1st	2:32:13
03Oct10	Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon	1st	2:27:24
19Jun10	Duluth Grandma’s Marathon	1st	2:31:35
21Feb10	Jacksonville Beach Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer	1st	2:33:08 Event Record
06Dec09	California International Marathon	1st	2:32:17
27Sep09	Quad Cities Marathon	1st	2:44:22

Career Notes:

Buzunesh Deba is an eight-time marathon champion on U.S. soil, having recorded a career high four wins in 2010. One top spot that has eluded Deba, however, is the New York City Marathon. Last year she raced to a three minute lead over the field, only to have Priscah Jeptoo catch and pass her in the closing miles of Central Park. In 2011, countrywoman Firehiwot Dado surged in the closing stretch to put a four-second gap between Deba and the finish tape. Earlier in 2011, Deba ran the fastest marathon ever run in California with her 2:23:31 win in San Diego. Her time eclipsed the standing California record held by Joan Benoit’s historic 1984 Olympic Marathon win.

Personal Notes:

Deba lives in the Bronx, New York, with her husband and coach Worku Beyi, also a marathon runner. She is preparing for Boston in New Mexico and New York City. Deba was influenced by the many long distance runners in her home village near Arsi, Ethiopia, and started running at age 13 in junior school. She says her first New York City Marathon gave her the confidence that she could compete with the best runners in the world. She likes to garden and take care of children.

“To me the words ‘we run together’ mean unity, love, peace and tolerance for one world.”