Derartu Tulu at the 2003 London Marathon (© Getty Images)
Ethiopia’s former twotime Olympic and one-time World 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu is one of maybe a handful of women in distance running who can safely claim that they have seen it all at the top level.
Despite being 33 and very much heading towards the end of an illustrious career, the three-time world cross country champion’s hunger for success remains as strong as ever.
“I never get tired of competing and trying to win,” says Tulu sporting the wide grin that has become a fixture in her fifteen-year stint at the top.
And so when she finished third in Nagano (2:31.58) and was called up to join Ethiopia’s marathon squad for Helsinki, Tulu was given an offer she could not refuse. “I did not want to believe that I could not run at the top level anymore,” she says.
Fighting for the team
In accepting the role as team member, Tulu says that she has entered an obligation to help her teammates end a barren spell in the World Championships marathon. No Ethiopian woman has ever won a World medal in marathon, but Tulu says this statistic could change this year in Helsinki.
“We have been training hard as a team for the last two months in Ethiopia,” she says. “On my part, I will do my best and fight for the team.”
Tulu has run eight marathons spread over a period of eight years with her personal best, 2:23.57, coming in London four years ago. This season has not gone according to plan for Tulu who has suffered multiple defeats in road races recording inferior times along the way.
But despite being only the third fastest in the squad and the seventh fastest Ethiopian this year, all eyes will be on Tulu as she makes her World Championship debut over the Marathon. “It is difficult to predict the result of the Marathon,” she says. “So many things can happen. It is so unpredictable, but I am well prepared for the challenge.”
Reunion with Radcliffe
Her primary challenger will be Britain’s World record holder Paula Radcliffe. The two runners have provided the athletics world with lasting images of their thrilling battles on the track, cross country, and the marathon down the years, and Tulu says the rivalry will continue in Helsinki.
“I have beaten her (Radcliffe) many times on the track and cross country,” Tulu recalls. “But she has the advantage over the Marathon. In Helsinki, we shall see what happens.”
But Tulu is under no disillusion about the outcome of Sunday. “It needs careful preparation and planning throughout the race,” says Tulu. “The winner could be somebody unexpected, someone who will surprise everyone.”
And just like she did thirteen years ago when becoming the first African woman to win Olympic gold in Barcelona with all pre-race predictions going against her, Tulu hopes that that someone in Helsinki will be her!
Elshadai Negash for the IAAF
