NYRR Media Center

Shura Kitata has finished in the top five in all three of his TCS New York City Marathon appearances, including runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2018. In the latter, he was just two seconds shy of winning, falling short against fellow Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa.

Kitata represented Ethiopia at the Tokyo Olympic marathon but had to withdraw after six miles due to a hamstring injury. He won the London Marathon in 2020 in 2:05:41, finishing ahead of Olympic champion and world-record holder Eliud Kipchoge. Additionally, he has placed in the top five at the Tokyo Marathon and won the Houston Half Marathon.

Kitata’s career took off in 2017 when he won the Frankfurt Marathon by more than a minute, leading an Ethiopian sweep of the medals. Earlier that year, he placed third in Xiamen before slicing two minutes from his best time to win the Rome Marathon in 2:07:28. His time was the second fastest ever on the Rome course. Kitata made his marathon debut in Shanghai in 2015, finishing third in 2:08:53. He ran four marathons in 2016, finishing as runner-up in Xiamen, Ottawa, and Istanbul.

Kitata was born on a family farm in Ethiopia and has four sisters and three brothers. He began running in grade school and now trains in Ethiopia under coach Haji Adilo alongside Desisa and world champion Gotytom Gebreslase.