At the 2018 European Championships in Berlin, Maro Teferi broke the floodgates when he broke Haile Stein's Israeli record for marathon running after 15 years, with a time of 2:13:00, an improvement of 1:21 minutes. Since then, the record has been cut repeatedly, by more than 7 minutes, and the current holder is Geshaw Ayala with 2:05:33. But now Teferi wants to be No. 1 again, and there's nothing like the World Championships starting this weekend in Budapest to do that.
The 30-year-old Teferi from Maccabi Tel Aviv, who ran his first full marathon only at the age of 22, and a year later already managed to represent Israel at the Olympic Games in Rio, has been in a training camp in Italy for a month ahead of the run in Hungary, but turned to an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom. First, he explains about the upgrade that marathon running is undergoing in Israel: "The athletes here have started looking at the world level and everyone is motivated to succeed. We are now much more professional, with a large and enveloping team, which was not the case in the past."
Maro Tafari. Continues to amaze, photo: Tibor Jaeger
What goes through your mind once you cross the finish line and see that the record is broken?
"A special feeling. It pleases and motivates you to move forward and do it again and again. These are feelings that not many get to feel."
Would you say that Israel is already considered a marathon superpower?
"Without a doubt. The graph is on the rise. We are European champions, there are already four Israelis with criteria for the Olympic Games in Paris, and in the big competitions we are at the top and approaching places on the podium. Israel is definitely a superpower."
You also went to work as a national team. How different is it from working separately?
"First of all, there was always competition between us, and it was very difficult to do training alone, but now as a team one challenges the other, and when it is difficult to support each other and rejoice in each other's successes."
Tafari, Photo: Meir Arazi
"Feeling ready"
The hard work bore fruit at last year's European Championships in Munich, with Israel winning team gold and a silver medal won by Teferi. "It was the peak of my career," he recalls, "to be European champions, in Munich, it's special. Until then, they didn't really see Israel and there wasn't a strong team, now everyone is talking about us and recognizing us in the world."
To what extent did this success contribute to connecting other athletes to the sport in Israel?
"You see the amount that's growing. A lot of young people are moving long distances. I wish it would just go ahead, and then results would come at an even higher level."
You mentioned the competition between the members of the national team. Who do you think will be the one to break the national record next time?
"Everyone has the potential to do it. I can break the record too. You never know. I feel ready for the World Championships."
How far can we bring the record?
"He will improve a lot and reach the highest level. We may not reach two hours, but there will be impressive results."
Teferi. Open interview, photo: Tibor Jaeger
You joined the NN Running Team earlier this year, with Luna Chamtai Salpeter, what does that do to you?
"Although I have support in Israel from Maccabi Tel Aviv, Yaakov Shahar and Strauss, this team has other great athletes from around the world. There are many things there that go beyond running, such as tests or training camps, as well as financial support and a medical package. They put us in the big competitions with big prizes and everyone is given what suits him."
To what extent does Luna's bronze win at the last World Championships give men a boost to replicate the feat?
"A lot. I definitely think it's possible. If everything we did in training camp comes together, me and the team can get a medal. On the other hand, we don't know what others are doing, like the strong teams of Ethiopia and Kenya, but a top 10 is definitely realistic."
Chamtai Salpeter, Photo: Oren Aharoni
"They deserve the respect"
Less than a year from now, the Olympics in Paris begin, and Teferi can't wait to stand on the starting line: "I think about it all the time, but everyone wants to be there. There are only three places, so my place is not guaranteed either. I have to run well and secure my place."
Would it be possible to break the record you set in Tokyo - 13th place?
"Sure, I don't think otherwise."
What do you say about the decision to end the Games with the women's marathon this time, contrary to the tradition that saved the event for the men's marathon?
"I didn't know they made that decision, but I think it's a great decision, they deserve the respect. A marathon is not easy, especially if there are hot conditions like it was in Tokyo. It's good that they're doing it now, it should have happened a long time ago. It's a great decision."
When a young athlete reads the interview, how do you convince them to start running a marathon?
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"Marathon is a way of life that teaches you a lot of things. In training you go through a lot of difficulties, you need perseverance, get up early every morning, do two workouts a day and invest and run this distance, and it's not easy. If you get through it, stand up to it, you can do anything."
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