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 on 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 and then knelt to pray. Showing genuine humility, she also thanked the man who had paced her to the end.
“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.
“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.
