Fatuma Roba

Fatuma Roba (; born 18 December 1973) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, best known for being the first African woman to win a gold medal in the women's Olympic marathon race, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and for winning three successive Boston Marathons.

Early life Fatuma Roba was born on 18 December 1973 in Bekoji, Ethiopia. She came from a Moslem family of Oromo origin. As Fatuma grew up, there were no female role models in long distance running within Ethiopia, only Abebe Bikila. While Fatuma was at school, she was not encouraged to run but decided to continue regardless. She was coached by Sentayehu Eshetu, who had previously worked with athletes such as Derartu Tulu.

Running career She made her first national team in 1988, in the half marathon. That year she was in the top ten in the world championships, by 1992 she had improved to sixth. After coming first in the juniors and seventh overall in the New York Mini Marathon, she decided to try a full length marathon. So in 1994, she took part in the Paris Marathon, finishing 19th, later saying "when I finished I said, Never again, never again will I do this distance, it is too long!' I drank too much water, had stomach troubles, and after 14km I was finished." The three-time Boston champion narrowly missed a fourth straight title in 2000, coming in third in the closest finish in race history. She later said "Well, for me the greatest of all marathons is of course the Olympic Marathon, but second place is Boston."

Personal bests 10000m – 32:25 (2000) Half-marathon – 1:09:01 (2001) Marathon – 2:23:21 (1998)

Achievements