Ethiopian long-distance runner Shewarge Alene, winner of this year’s Stockholm Marathon, has died at the age of 30 after collapsing during training.
The organisers of the Stockholm Marathon announced the news on Thursday, saying they had received it with “deep sorrow.”
“Shewarge Alene became unwell during a training session and was taken to hospital, where, sadly, her life could not be saved,” the organisers stated.
Alene was reported to have fallen ill while preparing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. The Stockholm Marathon, which she won in May in a time of 2 hours, 30 minutes and 38 seconds, turned out to be the final race of her career.
According to World Athletics records, Alene competed in 26 marathons between 2012 and 2025, taking 12 victories during that period. Her fastest mark came at the 2023 Cape Town Marathon, where she clocked 2:27:26. That event is currently being considered for inclusion alongside Sydney as a World Marathon Major.
Her sudden passing has left the athletics community mourning the loss of a rising figure who had built a reputation as a consistent and determined performer on the global road racing scene.