Although Dinkalem Ayele took up marathon racing just a year ago, he is already a competitive force on the world scene. The 25-year-old Ethiopian will now line up at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 18, seeking his first-ever podium finish.
In January of this year, he finished fourth at the Doha Marathon in a new personal best of 2:06:43.
He will make the trip across the Atlantic with several of his compatriots, including Gizealew Ayana, who has a best time of 2:06:48, as they try to prevent Kenya’s defending champion, Leonard Langat, from successfully defending his title.
The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon will mark Dinkalem’s third marathon of 2026. In April, he finished fifth in Milan (2:08:46), but allowed his body to recover adequately before focusing on Toronto.
“I took one month of rest after the Milan Marathon and resumed training in May,” he reveals. “My training is going well, and I am currently in good condition.
“I am satisfied with my fitness and feel that my training is progressing well. I feel strong, comfortable, and ready for the upcoming competition.”
Dinkalem is a member of a large group of athletes represented by Rosa Associati, the Italian-based management company of which Seifu Tura, a former Chicago Marathon champion, is perhaps the best known. They train under renowned Ethiopian coach Yirefu Birhanu, who was himself a promising athlete. He placed 10th in the 2004 World Cross Country Championships before injuries ended his competitive career.
Like many elite Ethiopian runners, the group trains at a variety of locations within a short drive of Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, including Entoto, Sululta, Ararat, and Sendafa. And, like most training groups, the management company provides transportation to take the athletes to and from training sites.
“Most of the time, I travel with the group using the group transportation service, such as the van or bus,” says Dinkalem. “Sometimes, especially when I go to Sendafa, I use my own car.”
Prior to moving up to the marathon, Dinkalem raced frequently at shorter distances. Most recently, he was third in the 2025 Great Ethiopian Run 10K in a personal best of 28:30. That race starts and finishes at Meskel Square in the capital, which sits at 2,350 m (7,700 ft) above sea level. It is Africa’s largest race, with more than 50,000 runners, and is widely considered an indicator of emerging talent.
Since 2023, Dinkalem has raced in Europe, Asia, and South America and is not shy about racing frequently. He also seems to have mastered the art of adapting to time-zone changes, which can be tricky for some elite athletes.
Among his most notable results was his personal best of 59:30 for the 2024 Barcelona Half Marathon, which would suggest that a marathon time closer to 2:05 is possible.
Dinkalem lives in Addis Ababa now but hails from the northern provinces of Ethiopia.
“I am originally from the Wollo area of Ethiopia,” he says. “My family and roots are from Wadla, which is the specific area where I am from. I moved to Addis Ababa to pursue my athletics career and training.”
While training and recovery take up most of his daylight hours, he has interests related to his upbringing in northern Ethiopia.
“In my spare time, I also enjoy listening to Ethiopian traditional music, especially music from Wollo. I really enjoy the traditional dances that go with the music,” he reveals. “So sometimes I listen to the music and dance a little. This is how I usually spend my free time.”
In preparation for his visit to Toronto, he has accessed information on past editions of the race and believes he will be ready to challenge for the podium place he covets.
“Most of the athletes know about the Toronto [Waterfront] Marathon,” he admits. “I have good information about it. I understand that the weather is usually suitable for running and the course is reasonably good. The first half is mostly flat, while the second half has some uphill sections. I also know that Toronto is a very nice place, and I am looking forward to the experience of racing there.
“My goal in Toronto is to run a strong and competitive race and achieve a good result. I want to perform to the best of my ability, gain valuable experience, and hopefully achieve a personal best. I will stay focused on my preparation and give my best on race day.”
A podium finish at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, especially a victory, would further advance his long-time dream of representing his country at the Olympics or World Championships.
At 25, he has much to look forward to.
