Ethiopian distance runner Yebrgual Melese died at 36 after a sudden medical emergency during a routine training session in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, the country’s athletics federation confirmed. Melese, who won marathons in Houston (2015), Prague (2015), and Shanghai (2015), had been preparing for a race in Ottawa on May 24. She was rushed to hospital but died despite medical staff’s efforts. The federation expressed deep sorrow, offering condolences to her loved ones.

Melese’s competitive career included a second-place finish in the 2015 Chicago Marathon—her best result among the seven World Marathon Majors—alongside victories in Houston and Prague that same year. Her latest competitive outing was a marathon in Beijing last May that she failed to finish. No further details about the cause of her death have been released.

Melese’s death marks a loss for Ethiopian athletics, cutting short the career of a prominent marathoner. Her achievements in major international races, including her 2015 Chicago Marathon performance, underscored her standing in the sport. The federation’s statement highlights the sudden nature of the emergency, leaving fans and teammates to mourn the loss of a talented athlete.