Haftamu Gebresilase

Haftamu Abadi (born March 25, 2004) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in road races ranging from 10 kilometres to the marathon. He came to international attention after winning the 2025 Vienna City Marathon, becoming the youngest male winner in the event's history.

Early life and background Haftamu was born in Ethiopia on 25 March 2004. He began appearing in international competitions in his late teens, primarily in long-distance road races.

Career In 2024, he represented Ethiopia at the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, competing in the men's half marathon. He placed fifth in the event.

On 6 April 2025, he claimed his first major victory by winning the 42nd Vienna City Marathon. He crossed the finish line in 2:08:28, setting a personal best and improving his previous mark by more than two minutes. The race took place in unseasonably cold weather, with temperatures at the start around 2°C. He also won the Ljubljana marathon in Slovenia on 19 October 2025, making it so that he won two marathons in one year . He crossed the finish line with a time of 2:06:52, again setting a personal best and improving his previous mark by almost two minutes.

Personal life Following his marathon victory in Vienna, he made a public expression of gratitude on social media, referencing his Christian faith. In a post, he credited the Virgin Mary for his success. Media coverage noted that he displayed a religious image, made the sign of the cross, and knelt in prayer after crossing the finish line. 10K Road – 27:38 (set at Herzogenaurach in Germany) Half Marathon – 59:56 (set at Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates) Marathon – 2:05:58 (set in Seoul, Korea, on 15 March 2026)