The winner of the Stockholm marathon, Shewarge Alene, has died at the age of 30, just four months after her win.
The Ethiopian runner felt unwell during a training session and was taken to hospital where she tragically passed away.
In a statement, the Stockholm Marathon shared the news on Instagram, writing: ‘It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of Shewarge Alene, winner of the adidas Stockholm Marathon 2025.
‘Shewarge Alene felt unwell during a training session and was taken to the hospital, where unfortunately her life could not be saved.
‘She was 30 years old. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.’
Shewarge Alene, pictured here in May after winning the Stockholm Marathon, has died at the age of 30 after being taken ill at a training session
Alene was one of the most decorated stars of the marathon world, winning 12 of the 27 she entered as a professional.
Her training team-mates described her as a ‘determined athlete’ and ‘generous friend’ who always encouraged others, according to press in her homeland.
One coach said the running community had ‘not only lost a great athlete, but also a role model for young girls in the country’.
Alene was hitting the form of her life, with an all-time best of 2:29.34 in January at the Tata Mumbai Marathon.
The Adidas-sponsored athlete followed that up with her impressive victory in Stockholm (2:30.38) at the end of May this year.
One of Alene’s most startling achievements came back in 2010 when she reportedly asked to borrow a pair of shoes before breaking the road record at the Mount Washington Road Race, running a time of 1:08:21.
Alene left east Africa to pursue her racing career seriously and lived in both New York and Mexico at various times but Ethio Runners report that she was most recently back training in Ethiopia.
