Fatuma Roba was born on 18 December 1973 in Ethiopia. Her first marathon--which was also her first victory--too place in 1993 in Addis Ababa. Two years later, she participated in the World Marathon Championship at Gutenberg, finishing 18th.

In 1996, she won the Rome and Marrakesh marathons, and the Lisbon half marathon. That same year, she competed in the Atlanta Olympic Games. Although she was not the favourite, she won the Olympic gold, making her the first African woman to win a gold medal in the marathon competition, and also by the largest margin in history.

Aside from her Olympic triumph, Fatuma Roba´s victories include winning the Boston Marathon three consecutive years (1997, 1998 and 1999). In addition, she won the Madrid Marathon in 2001, and the Nagano Marathon in 2004.

Sources:

• Fatuma Roba´s biography at web Ethiopians.com

• Wikipedia

• Fatuma Roba´s Victories