Belayneh Dinsamo

File:Belayneh Densamo.jpg

Belayneh Dinsamo

Belayneh Dinsamo (born June 28, 1965) is an Ethiopian former long-distance runner and marathon specialist. He represented his country at the 1996 Summer Olympics, entering as the world record holder, but failed to finish the marathon race.

Belayneh was born in Diramo Afarrara, Sidamo. He held the world record in the marathon for 10 years (1988-1998). This was the third longest span without the record being broken since the event was first organized at the 1896 Olympics. The record was set when he ran 2:06:50 at the 1988 Rotterdam Marathon in the Netherlands. The record was eventually broken by Ronaldo da Costa at the Berlin Marathon in 1998.

As of 2009, Densamo lives in the area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is no longer active in international competition.

Achievements

• All results regarding marathon, unless stated otherwise

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Notes
Representing Ethiopia
1986	Tokyo Marathon	Tokyo, Japan	2nd	2:08:29
1986	Moscow Marathon	Moscow, Russia	1st	2:14:42
1987	All-Africa Games	Nairobi, Kenya	1st	2:14:47
1987	Rotterdam Marathon	Rotterdam, Netherlands	1st	2:12:58
1988	Rotterdam Marathon	Rotterdam, Netherlands	1st	2:06:50
1989	Rotterdam Marathon	Rotterdam, Netherlands	1st	2:08:39
1990	Fukuoka Marathon	Fukuoka, Japan	1st	2:11:35
1996	Rotterdam Marathon	Rotterdam, Netherlands	1st	2:10:30

References

• Runners World
• Running World Wall of Fame

Records
Preceded by Carlos Lopes	Men's Marathon World Record Holder April 17, 1988 – September 20, 1998	Succeeded by Ronaldo da Costa