Career
He gained his first international medal at the 2009 African Junior Athletics Championships, where he took the 10,000 metres gold medal. Born in Shewa zone, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, Lelisa made his breakthrough on to the senior international scene at road races in 2010, beginning with a sub-60 minute run for third place at the Zayed International Half Marathon in January. He engaged Wilson Kiprop in a sprint finish at the Paris Half Marathon two months later, ending up in second place.
He took to the United States road circuit and was sixth at the Crescent City Classic before taking the runner-up spot at the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run behind Stephen Tum.
He received his first senior international call-up for the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. He came seventh overall, recording a time of 1:01:28 alongside his compatriot Birhanu Bekele to secure the team bronze medal for the Ethiopians.
He came close to a personal best at the World"s Best 10K in February 2011, taking third place in a time of 28:02 minutes. This served as preparation for the City-Pier-City Loop in March, where he came out on top in a five-man sprint finish to record a personal best of 59:37 minutes for the half marathon.
That June he reached the podium at the World 10K Bangalore, coming third behind Kenyan opposition.
He was selected as an Olympic squad reserve as a result. A 5000 metres best of 13:22.91 minutes came in June, but ultimately he did not compete at the Olympics. In his debut over the marathon distance, he made one of the fastest ever debuts by winning the 2013 Dubai Marathon in a time of 2:04:45 hours.
He was surprised by the quick time and said he would like to make a world record attempt in the future.
3000 metres - 8:33.72 minimum (2009)
5000 metres - 13:22.91 minimum (2012)
10,000 metres - 27:18.17 minimum (2012)
10 km (road) - 27:57 minimum (2010)
Half marathon - 59:30 minimum (2011)
Marathon - 2:04:45 minimum (2013).