Mamitu Daska returns to Boston intent on making the podium. In her first Boston, she finished a disappointing 12th. Daska made her marathon debut with a third-place finish in Berlin in September 2009, and then won three of her next four marathons, notching celebrated wins in Dubai, Houston, and Frankfurt.
In 2014, Daska won the B.A.A. Distance Medley, by finishing first in the B.A.A. 10K and the B.A.A. Half Marathon, and second in the B.A.A. 5K. She is three-time IAAF World Cross Country participant, finishing eighth in 2015 and 2010 and 12th in 2009. She won the gold medal at the Brazzaville All-Africa Games Half Marathon and the silver medal at the 2011 Maputo All-Africa Games Half Marathon. Daska recently improved her half marathon personal best to an Ethiopian record 1:06:28 at the 2015 Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon.

Daska started running as a junior in school and was influenced by the many elite athletes who train in Addis Ababa, Sululta, Sendafa, Tatek, and Sebeta. Daska says, “When I started running not many people from my community knew what running was. Now I support myself and my family financially and in general I am a role model to my community.” Winning the Dubai Marathon in 2010 was a pivotal moment in Daska’s career, as this is when she felt she could compete at the highest levels. When she is not running, Daska enjoys relaxing, spending time with her family, reading the Bible, and making coffee for her friends.

“In 2013, I participated in the Boston Marathon, but I didn’t win, so I want to run boldly and make history by winning this year.”