At The TEN in California, a meet known for its fast distance races and laid-back atmosphere, Ethiopia’s Telahun Bekele gave fans a spectacle unlike anything expected. In his first-ever attempt at the 10,000 meters on the track, Bekele missed the start by 11 seconds, reportedly due to a last-minute bathroom break—and still managed to clock 26:52, securing the World Championships qualifying standard in the process.
It was a debut no one saw coming — not just for its time, but for how it unfolded.
As the gun went off, Bekele was nowhere to be seen on the start line. He had apparently dashed off the track just before the race for an emergency bathroom stop and returned just as the field was already rounding the first turn. With little hesitation, he hopped onto the track well behind the pack and began what would turn into a chase for both redemption and a world-class time.
The unorthodox start didn’t rattle him. Instead, Bekele got to work—chipping away at the deficit with methodical pacing and smooth mechanics. Lap by lap, he crept closer to the main group, making up the gap with an efficiency that stunned even seasoned observers.
Despite running the early stages solo, Bekele settled into a rhythm that would eventually bring him through 5,000 meters in a split comparable to the leaders. By the latter half of the race, he had fully reintegrated into the main field, where a mix of American and international elites were battling for time and position.
As the laps wound down, Bekele showed why he has been considered one of Ethiopia’s most talented distance runners over the years. With a calm yet relentless finish, he crossed the line in 26:52, comfortably under the World Athletics standard of 27:00.00.
While the rest of the field had the benefit of a clean start and pacing from the gun, Bekele ran nearly the entire race solo and still produced a time that places him among the top performers globally this year.
Though this was his 10,000m debut, Telahun Bekele is no stranger to the spotlight. He owns a sub-12:50 personal best in the 5,000m and was once viewed as the next great Ethiopian distance hope before injuries interrupted his momentum.
Now 24, Bekele is clearly mounting a comeback—and making a strong case for a spot on Ethiopia’s Olympic team this summer. If anything, this debut shows he’s got the fitness, composure, and racing instincts to make it happen—even when the circumstances are far from ideal.
The TEN has quickly become one of the most exciting fixtures on the distance running calendar, known for producing fast times in an athlete-friendly environment. In 2024, it once again delivered. But while many came for Olympic standards and national records, Telahun Bekele gave them something even better: chaos, comedy, and elite-level brilliance wrapped in one unforgettable performance.
Discover More Content
