Sutume Asefa Kebede, the 2024 runner-up in a record-breaking Chicago Marathon and one of Ethiopia’s top marathon runners, has officially joined the elite athlete team of Swiss sportswear brand On.
Silver Finish in On Debut
In her debut race with On, Kebede delivered an impressive performance, securing second place in the Chicago Marathon, which saw a world-record pace. Kebede remained in the runner-up spot throughout the entire 42.2km course, closely trailing behind Ruth Chepngetich’s dominant lead. Benefiting from the perfect marathon weather, Kebede held her own, improving her personal best by seven seconds at the halfway mark. Despite her strong effort, she ultimately finished in 2:17:32, just two minutes shy of her personal best set in Tokyo earlier in the year.
A Champion on the Rise
Born in Ethiopia, Kebede has emerged as a force in the global marathon scene, consistently achieving podium finishes at premier marathon events. Her passion for running was ignited at a young age by her family and school, who recognized her natural talent. As a teenager, she set a national record in the 25-kilometre distance, marking the beginning of a focus on mastering the half and full marathon distances.
Kebede’s career highlights include a victory at the 2019 Beijing Marathon, silver at the 2022 Seoul Marathon, and third place at the 2020 Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:18:11. Earlier in 2024, she returned to Tokyo to claim the title in a record-breaking time of 2:15:55, setting a new course record and personal best, further solidifying her place among the top ten fastest female marathon runners in the world.
Her dominance extends beyond full marathons. In 2024, she set a new personal best in the half marathon, finishing the Houston Half Marathon in 1:04:37, the ninth-fastest time in women’s history and the fastest recorded in North America. In 2023, she also set a new world best in the 25-kilometre race in Kolkata, India.
A New Chapter with On
Kebede’s Chicago Marathon was her first race representing On, and she expressed her excitement about the new partnership: “I’m thrilled to officially join the On team and make my debut here in Chicago. On has accomplished so much in a short period, and their product quality is exceptional. I’m proud of my performance today against some of the best runners in the world. To win silver in my first race as an On athlete is truly special.”
Niklas Bühner, Athlete Manager at On, welcomed Kebede, stating, “We are excited to have Sutume as part of the On team. Her achievements speak volumes, and we believe this partnership will inspire even more success. We’re incredibly proud of her performance in Chicago, and having her on board is a real asset. We’re looking forward to what the future holds.”
With Kebede joining the ranks of On’s elite athletes, her journey continues to inspire as she aims for even greater success in the world of marathon running.
