Sutume Kebede joins On Elite Athlete Team

The newest member to join On’s elite athlete team, is the reigning Tokyo Marathon champion, Sutume Asefa Kebede from Ethiopia.

The 29 year-old became the fastest runner of any women’s half marathon located in America, by winning the 2024 Houston Half Marathon with a time of 1:04.37

Her Curriculum vitae speaks volume that include winning the 2019 Beijing Marathon, silver at the Seoul Marathon in 2022, and secured third place at the 2020 Tokyo Marathon in a time of 2:18.11.

Kebede made a return to Tokyo earlier this year to claim the title while crashing the old course record of 2:16.02 set in 2021 by Brigid Kosgei from Kenya with a new record-breaking time of 2:15.55, setting a new course record and personal best. Kebede ranks amongst the top ten fastest female runners in the world.

ALSO READ: Kenneth Kipkemoi, the man to watch Istanbul Marathon

Kebede’s dominance extends beyond full marathons. In 2024, she recorded a new personal best in the half marathon at the Houston Half Marathon and in 2023; she set a new world best time for a 25-kilometer race in Kolkata, India.

The Marathon in Chicago was the first race for Kebede, kitted out by the Swiss sportswear brand On.

Ahead of her first competition with her new sponsor, she said “I’m excited to officially be part of the team and to celebrate my debut with On here in Chicago.”

“On has achieved so much in just a short time and the product quality is second to none. I’m so proud of my effort today against some of the best runners in the world. I went for it all and to come away with a silver medal in my first race as an On athlete feels special.”

The Athlete Manager at On, Niklas Bühner, said “We are delighted to welcome Sutume to the On team. Her achievements speak for themselves, and we believe this collaboration will inspire further success. We’re proud of Sutume and her great result in Chicago. To have such a runner on the team is a true enrichment and we can’t wait to see what the future of this partnership holds.”