Futsum Zeinasellassie

Futsum Zeinasellassie (Ge'ez: ፉፁም ዜናሥላሴ; born 16 December 1992 in Eritrea) is an Eritrean-born American long distance runner. After running for North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, Zeinasellassie ran for Northern Arizona University. He is now running for the Hoka One One Northern Arizona Elite team.

Futsum Zeinasellassie
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1992-12-16) 16 December 1992
Eritrea
Sport
SportLong-distance running

Early life

Futsum Zeinasellassie was born in Eritrea, and was at a refugee camp in Ethiopia before moving to the United States at the age of 14.[1][2] Zeinasellassie's father is a priest in the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. He has three brothers and four sisters. Zeinasellassie was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in January 2016.

Running career

High School

While attending North Central High School, Futsum Zeinasellassie qualified for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships three times, finishing 7th, 2nd, and 2nd. Zeinasellassie also claimed the 2011 Nike Cross Nationals individual title in 15:02, outdistancing runner-up Daniel Vertiz by an astounding 24 seconds. He also won 7 IHSAA State titles in Cross Country and Track. As a senior, Zeinasellassie claimed the Indiana cross country state record for 5000 Meters in 14:36 at the Flashrock Invitational on September 17, 2011 along with the Indiana State record at 3200 meters on the track in 8:47.75. During this time he was coached by both Byron Simpson And Rick Stover as the head coach.

Collegiate

Zeinasellassie began attending Northern Arizona University in the fall of 2012. During his freshman cross country season he finished 31st at the NCAA Cross Country Championships with a time of 29:54.10. In 2013 Zeinasellasie returned to the NCAA Cross Country Championships to finish 4th as a sophomore in 30:05.7 followed by a 3rd place showing as a junior in 30:25.3, and rounding out his cross country eligibility with a 4th place showing as a senior in 29:49.8.

Post Collegiate/Professional

Futsum Zeinasellassie is currently sponsored by Hoka and trains with the Hoka One One Northern Arizona Elite in Flagstaff, Arizona.
At the 2017 USATF championship Medtronic TC 10 Mile, Zeinasellassie was 10th USATF 10 Mile Championships/Medtronic TC 10 Mile and runner-up at the Monterey Bay Half Marathon.[3]
At the 2018 USATF championship Medtronic TC 10 Mile, Zeinasellassie placed 8th in 47:28.[4]On October 6, 2019, Zeinasellasie won the Medtronic TC 10 Mile and became the USATF 10 Mile National Champion in a time of 46:55.

Personal bests

Zeinasellassie's personal bests are:[5]

  • 1,500m - 3:45.04 (2014)
  • 3,000m – 7:53.76 (2016)
  • 5,000m – 13:34.84 (2017)
  • 10,000m – 27:52.70 (2016)

References
  1. Mike Grimala. 2011. Futsum Zeinasellassie: Making it in America. YPFDJ (Young People's Front for Democracy and Justice).
  2. David Krider. 2012. Eritrean Futsum Zienasellassie leaves his footprint. YPFDJ (Young People's Front for Democracy and Justice).
  3. Twin Cities Marathon - 2018 Medtronic TC 10 Mile Twin Cities Marathon
  4. 2018 Results - USATF 10 Mile Championships Published by USATFRunningCircuit.com - USATF Running Circuit Official Site on Sep 30th, 12:39pm USATF 10 Mile Championships hosted by the Medtronic TC 10 Mile Runnerspace
  5. "Futsum Zienasellassie | NAZ Elite | Northern Arizona Elite". Nazelite.com. 2017-04-11.
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