TRAGIC LOSS

Marathon Champion, 30, Dies After Falling Sick in Training

The Ethiopian athlete won the Stockholm Marathon in May.

Ethiopian runner Shewarge Alene, who won the Stockholm Marathon in May, died at the age of 30 after falling ill during a training session. Alene was training in Ethiopia and taken to a hospital in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, but she died soon after. “It is with deep sorrow that we have received the news of the passing of Shewarge Alene, winner of Adidas Stockholm Marathon 2025,” the Stockholm Marathon reported on Instagram. “Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.” Alene was carving out a successful running career, winning 12 out of the 27 races she entered as a professional. The marathoner set a personal best of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 34 seconds earlier this year at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, finishing in fifth place. But securing a win at the Stockholm Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 30 minutes and 38 seconds is arguably the pinnacle of her accolades. Alene lived in Mexico, where she also won a couple of races, after living in New York.