Pro Marathoner Teshome Mekonen Hits the Road with On

Zurich, Switzerland, January 22, 2024 - In a stride towards marathon greatness, US marathoner Teshome Mekonen has officially joined Team On, aligning with the Swiss sportswear brand's strategic push into the marathon distance. Dubbed a "huge talent with a warm personality," by Kevin Quadrozzi, On's Athlete Partnership Manager Running, Mekonen seamlessly integrates with the brand's roster of elite athletes and “has a very bright future ahead of him”. 

“As we look towards 2024 and beyond, we hope to steadily add more athletes to our marathon roster. We would like to continue to have a presence at major marathons in hopes of following the success of Hellen Obiri and further developing our racing product", Quadrozzi continues.

Born in Ethiopia's Tigray region, Mekonen's love affair with running began as a youngster, chasing rabbits and racing friends through the fields. However, it was only in high school that he transitioned to serious running, spurred on by a supportive teacher and encouragement from established runners in his hometown.

"I took pride in racing against my friends and classmates and coming in first, but I never thought I'd be a pro runner," reflects Mekonen. 

His journey took a turn when he joined a professional running club after school, providing the support and environment needed to pursue running full-time while obtaining a diploma in Automotive Engineering. During this time, Mekonen met Feven Alem, a New York-based athlete agent who did not only take him on as a client but ultimately became his wife. 

Mekonen started to spend his time between training in Ethiopia and New York. In 2022, he obtained U.S. citizenship and finished his first race as an American, the Boston Half Marathon, in 62:28. With his half marathon personal best of 60:02, set at the Valencia Half Marathon in 2018, the 28-year-old already ranks among the fastest Americans of all time. For the last few years, Mekonen has had his sights set on the marathon. 

“In 2021, I ran the NYC Marathon for the first time. That race taught me the importance of a long preparation period for a marathon and the importance of having the support of a coach who is with you leading up to a big race, so feedback during training can be given in real time.” 

Since his first experience in 2021, Mekonen has shaved 12 minutes off his marathon time, finishing in 2:10:16 at the Berlin Marathon in 2023. For the upcoming Olympic year, the 28-year-old has set his sights firmly on the long distance and is excited to start a new chapter with Swiss sportswear brand On.

“On is a growing company and I want to grow with them and make history along the way. I genuinely enjoy the footwear line and believe that the comfort of the shoes combined with the technology implemented will be key to my success and efforts around injury prevention. As someone who comes from a country that is mindful of how resources are used, I also wholeheartedly support On's sustainability mission”, Mekonen says about his decision to join the brand.

About On

On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running by empowering all to run on clouds. Thirteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities. Fueled by customer recommendation, On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design, and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base — inspiring humans to explore, discover and dream on.

On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.