When it comes to the world of elite distance running, Selemon Barega is one of those athletes who can leave you completely in awe. The Ethiopian sensation has already achieved what most runners only dream of. From taking home gold in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics to grabbing a World Indoor Championship title in the 3,000m, Barega has proven time and time again that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Oh, and let’s not forget his silver in the 5,000m at the World Championships. Yeah, he’s that good.
Now, let’s talk about his numbers. Barega has some jaw-dropping personal bests:
- 1,500m (indoor): 3:32.97
- 3,000m (indoor): 7:25.82
- 5,000m: 12:43.02 (10th fastest time in history, in case you’re wondering)
- 10,000m: 26:34.93
- Half marathon: 57:50 (yup, that’s the 7th-fastest time in history)
But here’s where things get really exciting: Barega is stepping up to run his very first marathon at the Zurich Maratón de Sevilla on Feb. 23, 2025. This is a big deal. Seville’s marathon is famous for being flat, fast, and perfectly timed weather-wise. Basically, it’s a runner’s dream stage for a debut.
His track record (literally) makes him a favorite to put on a stellar show. That 57:50 half marathon he clocked in Valencia already had people wondering when he’d tackle the full marathon distance. And with training partners like Deresa Geleta (2024 Seville marathon champ) and Alemu Megertu (2022 champ), he’s in great company.
Barega’s potential target time: 2:02:05. That’s the record for the fastest debut marathon in history, set last December by Kenyan Sebastian Sawe at the Valencia Marathon. Sawe’s performance won him the race, and also slotted him as the fifth fastest marathoner in history.
Top 10 All-Time Men’s Marathon Performances
| Rank | Time | Runner | DOB | Nationality | Race Position | Race | Date | World Athletics’ Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:00:35 | Kelvin KIPTUM | 02 DEC 1999 |  KEN | 1 | Chicago, IL (USA) | 08 OCT 2023 | 1307 |
| 2 | 2:01:09 | Eliud KIPCHOGE | 05 NOV 1984 | KEN | 1 | Berlin (GER) | 25 SEP 2022 | 1296 |
| 3 | 2:01:41 | Kenenisa BEKELE | 13 JUN 1982 |  ETH | 1 | Berlin (GER) | 29 SEP 2019 | 1286 |
| 4 | 2:01:48 | Sisay LEMMA | 12 DEC 1990 | ETH | 1 | Valencia (ESP) | 03 DEC 2023 | 1283 |
| 5 | 2:02:05 | Sabastian Kimaru SAWE | 16 MAR 1995 | KEN | 1 | Valencia (ESP) | 01 DEC 2024 | 1278 |
| 6 | 2:02:16 | Benson KIPRUTO | 17 MAR 1991 | KEN | 1 | Tokyo (JPN) | 03 MAR 2024 | 1274 |
| 7 | 2:02:38 | Deresa GELETA | 14 JAN 1996 | ETH | 2 | Valencia (ESP) | 01 DEC 2024 | 1267 |
| 8 | 2:02:44 | John KORIR | 02 DEC 1996 | KEN | 1 | Chicago, IL (USA) | 13 OCT 2024 | 1265 |
| 9 | 2:02:48 | Birhanu LEGESE | 11 SEP 1994 | ETH | 2 | Berlin (GER) | 29 SEP 2019 | 1264 |
| 10 | 2:02:55 | Mosinet GEREMEW | 12 FEB 1992 | ETH | 2 | London (GBR) | 28 APR 2019 | 1262 |
For Barega, this isn’t just another race; it’s a leap into the unknown (and we are stoked). We’re certainly buzzing to see what kind of magic he’ll bring to Seville. Could we be looking at the marathon’s next big star? All signs point to yes.
So mark your calendars and stay tuned. Whether you’re a running nerd or just love an underdog story, Barega’s marathon debut is one race you won’t want to miss.
