Girma Mecheso won the 2014 U.S. 20K National Championships in 1:01:26 and finished third at the 2015 U.S. Half Marathon Championships, the Jacksonville Gate River Run 15K, and the New Orleans Crescent City Classic 10K. In college, he ran a 27:52.28 10,000m, which set the Oklahoma State University record and was one of the fastest times in the world. He also competed at the 2012 U.S.

Olympic Trials in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, but did not earn a position on the team. He is excited about making his debut at the Boston Marathon, because of its tradition and challenging course.

Mecheso was born in Ethiopia and lived there until he was eight years old, before his family fled the country upon a change in the government. He then spent many years in a refugee camp waiting for the opportunity to emigrate. Finally, in 2006, he had the opportunity to move to the United States and attend high school.

Inspired by watching Kenensia Bekele compete in the Olympics, Mecheso joined the track team and soon excelled in the sport on a national level. He finished ninth at the Footlocker High School National Cross Country Championship in 2006, and ninth in the two-mile at the 2007 Nike Outdoor Nationals in 8:56.

After spending a year at Auburn University, he transferred to Oklahoma State University and led the team to a national cross country championship. In college he was a ten-time NCAA All-American.

“ I am 100 percent dedicated and focused to be among the top performers at this year’s Boston Marathon.”