“We have lost a great athlete and an inspiration for young girls,” said a local Ethiopian coach, his voice heavy with grief after the sudden passing of marathon star Shewarge Alene. Having already conquered the global stage, Alene’s eyes were fixed on her next big goal, the 2026 Marathon Mania. But fate had other plans. During what seemed like an ordinary morning training session in Addis Ababa, tragedy struck. She was rushed to the hospital, but the nation’s brightest hope was gone. Ethiopia woke up to heartbreak, losing not only a champion but also a symbol of ambition.
Back in May, Shewarge Alene stormed to victory at the Stockholm Marathon, crossing the finish line with her arms outstretched in triumph. She celebrated in style, clocking a record 2:30:38, proof that she was only just entering her prime. But just as her star was beginning to shine its brightest, tragedy struck. Stockholm Marathon’s official page expressed the heartbreak, writing: “It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of Shewarge Alene, winner of the Adidas Stockholm Marathon 2025.”
They further added, “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.” The athlete was training in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, when she suddenly felt unwell and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, she could not be saved and took her last breath at the age of 30.
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Shewarge Alene’s journey began back in her country, Ethiopia, but her dreams carried her across the world. As a teenager, the athlete moved to New York City to chase her dream of becoming a professional sprinter, and what followed was nothing short of remarkable. The athlete has competed in 26 international marathons, winning 12 of them and securing nine additional podium finishes.
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Her crowning moment was back in Stockholm, when she crossed the line in celebration. Yet her fastest time was set two years earlier at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, where she clocked 2:27:26 for a hard-fought third place. This season, she set her personal best of 2:29:34 at the Tata Mumbai Marathon in January. Her sudden passing has cast a shadow of sorrow and melancholy over her nation. Let’s take a look at what the fans have to say.
Track and field fans react as Shewarge Alene bids adieu to the world
It was a sudden shock to the community, especially for Ethiopian fans. One saddened fan revealed, “Shocking! She has been in Mexico recently and won several races, just as she had for many years. May her soul rest in eternal peace.” Alene had recently been training in Addis Ababa after competing in the Medio Maratón Villahermosa and the Carrera del Día del Padre. She looked set to achieve even more, and her sudden demise was something no one had anticipated.
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Another fan expressed heartfelt sorrow: “RIP my friend, I can’t believe you are no more. May God give strength to the family in these tough moments.” Yet another added, “Sorry, Ethiopia has lost such a heroic runner. What a shocking death. May her soul rest in peace, and I wish condolences to her family!” The world of sports often teaches athletes to push past limits, but sometimes these boundaries are exceeded with tragic consequences.
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A study analyzing 1,102 NCAA athlete deaths between 2002 and 2022 found that 143 (13%) were due to sudden cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, the University of Maryland reported 22 Division I college football players who died since 2000 from exertion-related illnesses during workouts or practices.
Overexertion and pushing the body to its absolute limit have caused more harm to athletes than many realize. A fan reflected, “RIP legend. Eish, athletes are dying at an alarming rate. More especially long-distance runners—I think they overwork themselves by training too much.” Despite every effort, Alene passed away, leaving the running world stunned and mourning a star who was still on the rise. As one fan simply stated, “May her soul rest in eternal peace.”
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Her untimely passing underscores a harsh reality in the world of sports, whether it’s track and field, MMA, soccer, or baseball—athletes often push their bodies to the absolute limit, sometimes with fatal consequences for their hearts. Careful research and proactive measures are urgently needed to prevent such tragedies. As she bids a final farewell to her loved ones, may her soul rest in eternal peace.