Ten years ago, before the birth of ‘super shoes’, a teenaged Shure Demise surprised the world
with an extraordinary marathon record of 2 hours 20 minutes and 59 seconds. At the time it
was the fastest marathon ever by a teenage woman.
Nine months later the Ethiopian starlet came to the 2015 Toronto Waterfront Marathon and
finished in first place. Another successful Toronto title followed a year later.
Now 29 years old, and with a wealth of marathon experience gained since then, Shure returns
to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 19, seeking a third title.
“I have very fond memories of Toronto. I like the city very much—the course is excellent, and
the people are always welcoming and supportive,” she says of her return adding she is not
feeling pressure to win a third title. “Not at all. I am simply very happy to be back.”
Following her two Toronto Waterfront victories Shure made an impression at several World
Marathon Majors: she finished third in the 2018 Chicago Marathon, third in the 2019 Tokyo
Marathon and was also chosen to represent Ethiopia at both the 2017 and 2019 World
Championships. Then came a two-year absence from competition for which she has a very
good explanation.
“I gave birth to my daughter during that period,” she explains. “In 2025 I returned to competition
at the Milan Marathon where I was fortunate enough to finish first.”
That victory surprised many as she won by a full two minutes after seizing the lead near the
30km mark and running away from her competitors. At the finish she smiled, raised her arms
before kneeling to pray. Showing genuine humility, she also went to the man who paced her to
the end and thanked him.
“It was a joyful and fulfilling moment because Milan was my first marathon after returning from
maternity leave,” she reveals delighted with her life’s progress. “I am married and blessed with
one daughter. My life is very good thanks to God.”
Under the guidance of her long-term coach, Gemedu Dedefo, she trains with a strong group of
Ethiopian marathoners which includes Amane Beriso the 2023 World Champion, who ran a
personal best of 2:14:58 in Valencia. Amane, it should also be noted, finished 6th in the 2018
Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
The group trains in a few different locations in central Ethiopia preparing for the fall marathon
season.
“I live in Lege Tafo (outside Addis) and my husband assists me with transportation to training
sessions. Between sessions I focus on getting proper rest,” she says.TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
“Training (for Toronto Waterfront) has been going very well, and I am running approximately
170 kilometres per week. I particularly enjoy training in Sendafa.”
Sendafa is a small town just 20km from her home and on any given day one can see several
groups of athletes training on the dirt roads which criss-cross the hills. And, with such strong
training partners and already a major city marathon victory on her post-maternity comeback,
she is confident of doing well in Toronto.
The addition of Shure Demise further strengthens the women’s field. As it is she will join fellow
Ethiopians Almaz Kebebe and Adane Anmaw on the start line at this year’s TCS Toronto
Waterfront marathon.
A victory would see her join remarkable company as one of only three athletes to win three or
more times in Canada’s largest city. Kenya’s Philemon Rono won three men’s titles while
Kenneth Mungara has won four. It will be a remarkable achievement if she is successful.
(By Paul Gains, TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon)
