Gebo Burka Gameda
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gebo Burka Gameda |
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Born | August 28, 1987 Ethiopia |
| Occupation | Long-distance runner |
| Years active | 2005–2016 (last recorded result: January 2016) |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Ethiopia |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | Marathon |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
|
Gebo Burka Gameda (born 28 August 1987) is an Ethiopian former long-distance runner who specialized in the marathon. He is known for winning the 2014 Los Angeles Marathon and Sydney Marathon, and for being disqualified from the 2016 Houston Marathon following a doping violation.
Career
Burka began his international running career in the mid-2000s and rose to prominence in the early 2010s. In 2014, he won both the Los Angeles and Sydney marathons.[1][2]
At the 2015 Houston Marathon, he set his personal best of 2:08:12, finishing second.[3]
Doping suspension
In January 2016, Burka won the Houston Marathon in 2:10:55. However, in August that year, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that he had tested positive for prednisone, a banned glucocorticoid, from a sample collected on race day.
He accepted an 18-month suspension, stating that the medication had been prescribed but used without a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). All results from 17 January 2016 onward were annulled, including his Houston Marathon win. Third-place finisher Birhanu Gedefa was later declared the official winner.[4][5][6]
Personal bests
- Marathon: 2:08:12 – Houston, United States, 18 January 2015[3]
- 5000 metres: 13:22.17 – Dessie, Ethiopia, 9 June 2005[3]
- 10 km (road): 28:28 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 11 June 2005[3]
References
- ^ "An Ethiopian double in Sydney as course records fall". Ethio Sports. 21 September 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Gebo Burka Gamade of Ethiopia wins the 2014 Pittsburgh Marathon". Ethio Sports. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Gebo Burka – World Athletics Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Burka Gameda accepts 18-month sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation". Sports Integrity Initiative. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Birhanu Gedefa Declared 2016 Men's Marathon Winner". Chevron Houston Marathon. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Ethiopia's Gebo Burka, Biruktayit Degefa take Chevron Houston Marathon titles". Chron.com. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2025.