Words by Sheridan Wilbur. Photography by Yohannes Mehari.

Teshome Mekonen understands change and uncertainty are part of improvement, not something to shirk away from. In the last few years, the Ethiopian-born elite marathoner has acquired US citizenship and switched sponsors, training environments and coaches. 

When we speak, the 28-year-old is newly signed with On and about to make his debut in the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials on February 3, in Orlando, Florida. Currently ranked 13th in the field, Mekonen ran 2:10.16 in Berlin last October, maintaining 2:04 pace for about 20 miles (32 km). While he has to cover the full 26.2 miles (42.2 km) in Florida’s heat and humidity, his half-marathon time is the fastest in the field – indicating his potential. If he can have a good day and race strategically for place, Mekonen has a chance not only of making the US Olympic team, but winning the race.

Beyond sheer hard work, his approach post-Berlin involves less volume, more quality; less solitude, more teammates. Mekonen has tweaked every element of training to show up to the start line as the underdog who’s ready to fight for more. Get to know the fastest American marathoner you might not have heard about yet. 

I’m curious to learn about the different environments you've trained in. You lived in New York City, then Colorado Springs, Colorado, now Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. How do those training locations differ for you? 

Mekonen: It was very hard for me to train in New York City. It’s low elevation. The weather is usually humid, and it didn’t lead to good results. Then I went to Colorado Springs. But it was difficult for me there, too, without having a strong team or a coach in person. Another thing was the altitude; it’s not as high as Ethiopia’s elevation. And lastly, the food. The food is organic in Ethiopia, and I like it so much more. I also have my coach with me [in Ethopia], which for me, is very important. I get instant feedback from him after workouts and training programs like, “Okay your body needs this, this is how your body is right now. You need more gym, etc.” I came to Ethiopia for all of that. 

Given the history of civil war in Ethiopia, how do you feel training there now? Does it feel safer than in previous years? [On November 2, 2022, the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian government signed a peace agreement, ending a two-year conflict that cost thousands of lives and displaced many more].

Mekonen: This is a good question. It’s not like before, it’s better now. I'm still always careful when I come over. I forget everywhere was under attack. When I’m in the United States, information is hard to get. [The Ethiopian government blocked access to communication, banks and electricity in Tigray, which made contact with the outside world close to impossible.] It’s not completely safe now, but it’s better. I go to run, and not to another area. Once I’m done with training, I return home. 

Has the climate in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia helped prepare you for conditions in Orlando [Florida, location for the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials]? 

Mekonen: Yeah, it's been good. My coach understands this competition is in Orlando, where the elevation is lower and it’s warm, and gives good advice. We’ve tried to mimic the environment I’ll be in on race day and time trialed in those conditions.

Could you talk about your relationship to your wife, Feven Alem and how your personal and professional relationship intertwines. How does that contribute to your success? 

Mekonen: My wife, who is also my manager, is very understanding and she's very smart. She’s in the [running] industry, so she understands me, and what it takes to be a professional athlete. Anytime there’s a challenge or anything, she’ll tell me, “Do not show your hand, work hard, never give up.” We go through it together. We have to lean on each other to find a way through. There have been a lot of challenges. It's not always easy, but we're in it for the long game. She gives me the exact advice I need and is a loving wife. So everything flows together. 

At the 2023 Berlin Marathon, you ran 2:10.16 (and you were on pace for 2:04 for the majority of that race). Have you made any adjustments to your strategy? What’s training been like since?

Mekonen: In Berlin, I went to the start line feeling really confident because I worked really hard in training. But I learned in the race that I must have overloaded my training in Colorado Springs. 

I didn’t have anyone around me to train there, and the mileage was high, my speed, everything was high. But it was just too much. I felt like 2:05 or 2:04 would be easy and I had too much self-confidence. My mentality was “I worked hard, so there will be a good result, I’ll get 2:05.” 

During the race, I didn’t have a pacemaker.  If I’d had a more targeted pace, then I’d have known that I can run 1:03 for the first half and 1:05 for the second and the result will still give me 2:08. Also, after 20 kilometers (12.4 miles), I didn’t drink anything. I missed my fluids at a couple of tables. I didn’t think to take the water that volunteers were giving out. That could have had an impact on my race.

I learned a lot from Berlin. I’m going into the US Trials with more knowledge and a better mindset. I didn’t have a group to prepare with before, whereas now in Addis Ababa I’m in a group setting. I don’t have to run 40K or 30K all by myself. We take turns leading and setting the pace. So I'm working hard, but I’m not feeling the full effects of having to go out at that pace all by myself. My body can recover and it's a group effort. It's exactly what I need.

When you were going through your choice for your next brand contract, what did you consider and what was important to you?

Mekonen: I wanted to have that connection to the brand, beyond just being the athlete that represents the brand. There’s a lot of freedom here [with On]. It's more personable being able to connect with Kevin Quadrozzi [Head of Global Athlete Strategy & Partnerships - Performance Running at On]. He asks me what my goals are, and how the shoes are. I enjoy having that access and his communication, and the feedback he's able to give. Beyond the products, which I think are great, I believe in On’s vision. 

Your marathon time is ranked 13th going into the Trials, and you have the fastest half-marathon time in the field.  How are you feeling going into your first Trials Marathon? 

Mekonen: I know there are other Americans who have run faster than me, but I’ve worked on elements that contributed to my 2:10. I was running on overload. I always like to work hard, but now I have a good coach, a good team. I have better nutrition and I’m in a better setting. So I don’t have any worries. I know my body and my work ethic. I’m ready to run a faster time. I feel more confident that I'm going to be able to perform really well at Trials, and that my race will go well. In my vision, I'm representing America at the Olympics. 

What would it mean to you to qualify for Paris this year as an American citizen?

Mekonen: Representing the US would create happiness for me because, even though I was born in Ethiopia, I was able to create a life for myself in the US. I was able to build a family. This country has given me so much freedom to be who I am and become the person that I am now. My goal is not only to represent the USA, but to win a medal.