Weini Kelati Explained

Nationality:	American
Birth Date:	1 December 1996
Birth Place:	Tsaeda Kristian, Central Region, Eritrea
Hometown:	Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.
Sport:	Track and Field
Event:	Distance
Collegeteam:	New Mexico Lobos
Club:	Dark Sky Distance
Turnedpro:	December 2020^[1]

Weini Kelati Frezghi (ወይኒ ቀላቲ ፍረዝጊ) (born December 1, 1996) is an American middle and long distance runner. Born in Eritrea, she claimed asylum in the United States in July 2014 and subsequently achieved multiple victories in state and national level competitions while attending Heritage High School in Leesburg, Virginia. While competing for the University of New Mexico, Kelati won the 2019 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.

In June 2021, she became a U.S. citizen and began competing for the United States.^[2] She is the American record holder in the half marathon, with a time of 1:06.25 set in January 2024. Kelati also won a national title in the 10000 meters at the 2024 Olympic Trials, qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She runs professionally for Under Armour with the group Dark Sky Distance.

Early life and asylum in the United States

Kelati is from Tsada Kristian, a district center of Berikh, 5 miles west of Asmara, in the Central Region of Eritrea.^[3] She started running competitively when a physical education teacher at her school encouraged her to take up the sport.^[4] In July 2014, at the age of 17, she traveled to Eugene, Oregon, to compete in the 3000 m at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics. Following the competition, Kelati intentionally missed her return flight to Eritrea, opting to seek asylum in the United States instead. She did not disclose this plan to her family back in Eritrea.^[5]

A relative in Leesburg, Virginia, became Kelati’s legal guardian, and she joined Heritage High School, where she began competing in cross country and track. Initially, she faced challenges adapting to her new environment, struggling with both a language barrier, as she spoke no English, and culture shock. However, within a year, she managed to develop a functional level of English proficiency.

Running career

High school

Kelati started running for Heritage High School as a junior in 2014. In her first season, she finished second in the Virginia State Cross Country Championships,^[6] and she finished 20th at the Footlocker Cross Country Championships.^[7] In 2015, the high school senior finished first in both the Virginia State Cross Country Championships^[8] and the Footlocker Cross Country Championships.^{[9] [10]}

On the track, Kelati placed first in the outdoor 3200 m at the 2016 Virginia Outdoor Track and Field Championship.^[11] She also finished first in several national competitions. These victories included a national high school girls' record for the indoor 5000 m with her time of 16:08.83 at the New Balance Nationals Indoor in March 2016.^[12] In November 2016, she committed to run for the University of New Mexico.^[13]

College

While at the University of New Mexico, Kelati recorded several All American finishes in cross country. At the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in 2017 and 2018, she finished seventh and second, respectively.^[14] She then went on to win the competition in 2019 in 19:47.5, which was 9.6 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Alicia Monson, in the largest margin of victory since 2007.^[15] Her win helped her team, the New Mexico Lobos, secure a fourth-place finish. She was subsequently named the Honda Sports Award recipient for cross country.^[16] On the track, she won a national title in the 10000 m of the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, finishing in 33:10.84.

Professional

2020–2021

Kelati announced her decision to turn professional in December 2020, foregoing her remaining NCCA eligibility at the University of New Mexico. On June 23, 2021, Kelati became a naturalized U.S. citizen, and she changed her national sports allegiance from Eritrea to the United States.^[17] She took part in the 10000 m of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, which was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelati did not finish the race, dropping out after 7000 m. In her next race, Kelati achieved the fastest finish by an American in a women's-only event at the Boston 10K for Women, recording a time of 31:18.^[18] In November, she won the USATF 5K Road Championships in a course record of 15:18.^[19]

2022

Kelati competed in January at the 2022 USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego, California, where she placed second.^[20] The following month, at the 2022 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, she finished third in the 3000 m, clocking a time of 8:47.8.^[21] At the 2022 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held in July, she finished fourth in the 5000 m.^[22] In November, Kelati won the USATF 5K Championships for the second year in a row, while lowering the course record she established in 2021 by two seconds.^[23] That same month, Kelati defended her title at the Manchester Road Race, setting a course record in the process.^[24]

2023

In January, Kelati finished fifth at the 2023 USA Cross Country Championships held in Richmond, Virginia.^[25] This achievement granted her a place on the American national team, allowing her to compete at the 44th World Athletics Cross Country Championships. The event took place in Bathurst, Australia on February 18, 2023. Despite encountering challenges, including hip pain and a miscounted lap during the race, Kelati managed to complete the course, finishing in the twenty-first spot.^[26] She was the second American to cross the finish line, following her former University of New Mexico teammate, Ednah Kurgat, who came in eighteenth.

In July, Kelati participated in the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5000 m and 10000 m, finishing in eighth and fourth, respectively. In September, she clinched a first-place finish at the USATF 10 km Championships.^[27] The following month, she finished fifth in the 5k at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia.^[28] In November, Kelati contested the USATF 5K Championships, and while she entered the race as the two-time defending champion, she finished in fifth place.^[29]

2024

Kelati placed fourth at the Houston Half Marathon in 1:06:25 on January 14, setting the American record in the event and averaging 5:04 minutes per mile.^[30] En route to the finish, she also set a North American record for 20 km (63:05). Six days after setting an American record for the half marathon in Houston, Kelati attained another victory at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, held at Pole Green Park in Richmond, Virginia. She ran 32:58.6 to finish first in the 10-kilometer race.^[31] In March, she represented the United States at the 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where she finished in 15th as the top American.^[32]

At the 2024 Olympic Trials, Kelati won a national title in the 10000m, qualifying her to represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.^[33]

Personal life

After receiving asylum in the US in 2014, Kelati was unable to see her mother for eight years.^[34] It wasn't until she became a U.S. citizen, a status that granted her the freedom to travel internationally, that she was able to reunite with her mother in Uganda.

Her favorite movie is McFarland, USA, which tells the story of a predominantly Latino cross-country team in McFarland, California.^[35] Sprinter Usain Bolt is her favorite athlete.

Achievements

International competitions

2023	World Athletics Road Running Championships	Riga, Latvia	7th	5 km	15:10
2024	World Cross Country Championships	Belgrade, Serbia	15th	10km	32:53
	Olympic Games	Paris, France	8th	10000m	30:49.98

National championships

2023	USATF Outdoor Championships	Eugene, Oregon	4th	10000m	32:30.40
2024	USA Olympic Trials	Eugene, Oregon	bgcolor=gold	1st	10000m	31:41.07

NCAA competition

All results from athlete's profile on the Track & Field Results Reporting Service (TFRRS).^[36]

Representing University of New Mexico
2020	2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships	Albuquerque, New Mexico	All-American	5000 m	Cancelled due to COVID-19
	Mountain West Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship	Albuquerque, New Mexico	bgcolor=gold	1st	Distance medley relay	11:12.27 Adva Cohen, Abigail Bendle, Elise Thorner, Weini Kelati
2019	2019 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships	Terre Haute, Indiana	bgcolor=gold	1st	6000 m	19:47.5
	Mountain West Conference Cross Country Championship	Logan, Utah	bgcolor=gold	1st		19:11.2
	2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships	Austin, Texas	5th	5000 m	15:54.46
			bgcolor=gold	1st	10,000 m	33:10.84
	Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship	Fresno, California	bgcolor=gold	1st	10,000 m	32:09.10
	2019 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships	Birmingham, Alabama	bgcolor=silver	2nd	5000 m	15:32.95
			3rd	3000 m	9:02.44
	Mountain West Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship	Albuquerque, New Mexico	bgcolor=gold	1st	Mile	4:37.75
			bgcolor=silver	2nd	Distance medley relay	11:29.42 Weini Kelati, Larimar Rodriguez, Kieran Casey, Ednah Kurgat
2018	2018 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships	Madison, Wisconsin	bgcolor=silver	2nd	6000 m	19:45.3
	Mountain West Conference Cross Country Championship	San Diego, California	bgcolor=gold	1st		19:49.3
	2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships	Eugene, Oregon	9th	5000 m	15:46.57
	Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship	Fresno, California	bgcolor=gold	1st	10,000 m	32:41.92
	2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships	College Station, Texas	5th	5000 m	15:56.73
			5th	3000 m	9:03.51
	Mountain West Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship	Albuquerque, New Mexico	bgcolor=gold	1st	3000 m	9:13.40
2017	2017 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships	Louisville, Kentucky	7th	6000 m	19:35.8
	Mountain West Conference Cross Country Championship	Albuquerque, New Mexico	bgcolor=silver		2nd	20:11.7

High school competition

All results from athlete's profile on Milesplit VA.^[37]

Representing Heritage High School (Leesburg, Virginia) at Virginia High School League 4A state championship
Year	Cross country state championships	Outdoor track state championships
Rowspan=1	2015-16	Rowspan=1 bgcolor=gold	1st in 5 km (17:22)	bgcolor=gold	1st in the 3200 m (10:09.70)
Rowspan=3	2014-15	Rowspan=3 bgcolor=silver	2nd in 5 km (17:38)	bgcolor=silver	2nd in the 3200 m (10:54.45)
6th in the 4x800 m (9:51.02) Megan Collins, Weini Kelati, Sarah Smith, Georgie Mackenzie
3rd in the 1600 m (5:16.95)

Further reading

• • • • • From a running start in Eritrea to a new home in America, Weini Kelati wins NCAA cross country title at ESPN
• 24-year-old Weini Kelati Sets New American Record During Women’s 10K Race In Boston at CBS Boston
• Podcast interviews
• Three days after becoming a U.S. citizen, she will run to become a U.S. Olympian at The Washington Post

Notes and References

1. Web site: Virgen . Steve . December 2, 2020 . Kelati, UNM's star distance runner, turns pro, signs with Under Armour . November 7, 2023 . Albuquerque Journal . en . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106090147/https://www.abqjournal.com/sports/college/kelati-unms-star-distance-runner-turns-pro-signs-with-under-armour/article_8cd17847-48e6-5ac4-8d4e-6485890adb05.html . live.
2. Web site: June 24, 2021 . Former Lobo Weini Kelati becomes US citizen, ready to compete in Olympic trials . November 7, 2023 . KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos . en-US . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107170658/https://www.krqe.com/sports/local-sports/former-lobo-weini-kelati-becomes-u-s-citizen-ready-to-compete-at-the-olympics/ . live.
3. Web site: Bloom . Marc . December 22, 2015 . For Foot Locker Champion, America Brings Opportunity and Victory . October 30, 2023 . Runner's World . en-US . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030015053/https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20859044/for-foot-locker-champion-america-brings-opportunity-and-victory/ . live.
4. Web site: Spezia . Mark . November 22, 2019 . From a running start in Eritrea to a new home in America, Weini Kelati wins NCAA cross country title . October 30, 2023 . ESPN.com . en . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028234548/https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/page/Going-November222019/from-running-start-eritrea-new-home-america-weini-kelati-wins-ncaa-cross-country-title . live.
5. Web site: December 2, 2020 . Running Towards Her Dreams . October 30, 2023 . Under Armour . en . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030015053/https://about.underarmour.com/en/stories/2020/12/running-towards-her-dreams.html . live.
6. Web site: VHSL State Cross Country Championships 2014 - 4A Girls - FINAL . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030015356/https://va.milesplit.com/meets/178950-vhsl-state-cross-country-championships-2014/results/341191/formatted/?type=formatted&event= . October 30, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . MileStat.com . en.
7. Web site: Foot Locker Nationals 2014 - Girls Results . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030020313/https://www.milesplit.com/meets/177875-foot-locker-nationals-2014/results/342753/formatted . October 30, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . MileSplit United States . en.
8. Web site: VHSL State Cross Country Championships 2015 - 4A Girls . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030021035/https://va.milesplit.com/meets/214057-vhsl-state-cross-country-championships-2015/results/414135/formatted/?type=formatted&event= . October 30, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . MileStat.com . en.
9. Web site: Foot Locker Nationals 2015 - Girls Results . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030021505/https://www.milesplit.com/meets/213837-foot-locker-nationals-2015/results/415499/formatted/?type=formatted&event= . October 30, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . MileSplit United States . en.
10. News: Emert . Jacob . June 4, 2023 . Andrew Hunter, Weini Kelati bring national cross-country titles back to Virginia . en-US . Washington Post . October 30, 2023 . 0190-8286 . October 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001131312/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/andrew-hunter-weini-kelati-bring-national-cross-country-titles-back-to-virginia/2015/12/12/01b3f392-a056-11e5-bce4-708fe33e3288_story.html . live.
11. Web site: VHSL Group 3A/4A State Outdoor T&F Championships 2016 - 4A Girls 3200m Run . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108131756/https://va.milesplit.com/meets/223703-vhsl-group-3a4a-state-outdoor-tandf-championships-2016/results/456421/formatted/?type=formatted&event= . November 8, 2023 . November 8, 2023 . MileStat.com . en.
12. News: Emert . Jacob . June 5, 2023 . Lyles brothers, Weini Kelati impress at New Balance Nationals Indoor . en-US . Washington Post . October 30, 2023 . 0190-8286 . March 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160317213003/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/lyles-brothers-weini-kelati-impress-at-new-balance-nationals-indoor/2016/03/13/283b94dc-e8dd-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html . live.
13. News: Mullan . Dillon . December 4, 2021 . Heritage standout Weini Kelati’s rapid rise continues with commitment to New Mexico track and field . en-US . Washington Post . November 8, 2023 . 0190-8286 . June 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629013308/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/recruiting-insider/wp/2016/11/09/heritage-standout-weini-kelatis-rapid-rise-continues-with-commitment-to-new-mexcio-track-and-field/ . live.
14. Web site: TFRRS Weini Kelati – Track and Field Results & Statistics . 2023-10-30 . www.tfrrs.org . 2023-10-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028234548/https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/6438775/New_Mexico/Weini_Kelati.html . live .
15. Web site: Monti . David . Arkansas Completes Triple Crown, Weini Kelati Completes Foot Locker/NCAA Double . October 30, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030141441/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2019/11/2019-womens-ncaa-cross-country-championships-arkansas-women-complete-2019-triple-crown-as-weini-kelati-breaks-it-open-early/ . live.
16. Web site: Tate . Van . December 5, 2019 . Sports Desk: Weini Kelati named Honda Sports Award winner; 5 Lobo football players honored by Mountain West . November 8, 2023 . KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos . en-US . November 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108142559/https://www.krqe.com/fox-new-mexico/sports-desk-weini-kelati-named-honda-sports-award-winner-5-lobo-football-players-honored-by-mountain-west/ . live.
17. News: Kilgore . Adam . June 26, 2021 . Emily Sisson outruns a broken heart to dominate the 10,000 at the U.S. track and field trials . en-US . Washington Post . November 7, 2023 . 0190-8286 . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611210722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/06/26/emily-sisson-us-olympic-trials/ . live.
18. Web site: October 16, 2021 . 24-Year-Old Sets New American Record During Women's 10K Race In Boston - CBS Boston . November 7, 2023 . www.cbsnews.com . en-US . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107180250/https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/weini-kelati-sets-new-american-record-womens-10k-race-boston/ . live.
19. Web site: LetsRun.com . Drew Hunter and Weini Kelati Win 2021 USATF 5k Road Champs in New York . November 7, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107170656/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2021/11/drew-hunter-and-weini-kelati-win-2021-usatf-5k-road-champs-in-newyork/ . live.
20. Web site: Dutch . Taylor . January 9, 2022 . Alicia Monson and Shadrack Kipchirchir Have Won the 2022 U.S. Cross-Country Championships . November 7, 2023 . Runner's World . en-US . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107180250/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a38700405/usatf-cross-country-championships-results-2022/ . live.
21. Web site: LetsRun.com . USATF Indoors Women's Recap: Ajee' Wilson x 8, Elle Purrier St. Pierre Crushes Monson on Final Lap . November 8, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . November 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108134015/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/02/usatf-indoors-womens-recap-ajee-wilson-x-8-elle-purrier-st-pierre-crushes-monson-on-final-lap/ . live.
22. Web site: July 10, 2022 . 2022 USATF Outdoor Championships results, world championships roster . November 8, 2023 . NBC Sports . en-US . November 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108134015/https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/usa-track-and-field-championships-results . live.
23. Web site: Hatler . Chris . November 5, 2022 . USATF 5K Championships Kick Off NYC Marathon Weekend in Style . November 7, 2023 . Runner's World . en-US . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107170702/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a41875344/usatf-5k-championships-new-york-city-2022/ . live.
24. Web site: LetsRun.com . Conner Mantz breaks course record, Weini Kelati repeats at 2022 Manchester Road Race . November 7, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107180250/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/11/conner-mantz-breaks-course-record-weini-kelati-repeats-at-2022-manchester-road-race/ . live.
25. Web site: LetsRun.com . Emmanuel Bor & Ednah Kurgat Dominate 2023 USATF XC Championships . November 7, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107182643/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2023/01/emmanuel-bor-ednah-kurgat-dominate-2023-usatf-xc-championships/ . live.
26. Web site: Gault . Jonathan . February 18, 2023 . In Bathurst, the "World's Greatest Footrace" Lived Up to Its Name . November 7, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . November 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113135413/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2023/02/in-bathurst-the-worlds-greatest-footrace-lived-up-to-its-name/ . live.
27. Web site: Bush . Scott . USA Track & Field Young, Kelati Earn Big Wins at the USATF 10 km Championships . 2023-11-07 . usatf.org . 2023-11-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107215947/https://www.usatf.org/news/2023/young-kelati-earn-big-wins-at-the-usatf-10-km-cham . live .
28. Web site: Gault . Jonathan . October 1, 2023 . 2023 World Road Champs: Faith Kipyegon Gets Beat, Hobbs Kessler Wins Mile & Breaks WR, Kenya Goes 1-2-3 in Both Half Marathons . November 7, 2023 . LetsRun.com . en . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107180250/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2023/10/2023-world-road-champs-hobbs-kessler-wins-mile-breaks-wr-faith-kipyegon-gets-beat-kenya-goes-1-2-3-in-both-half-marathons/ . live.
29. Web site: Beck . Dan . November 4, 2023 . Annie Rodenfels and Morgan Beadlescomb Claim 2023 USATF 5K Wins . November 7, 2023 . Runner's World . en-US . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107221451/https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a45741411/usatf-5k-championships-2023-results-nyc/ . live.
30. Web site: Dutch . Taylor . January 14, 2024 . What a Debut! Weini Kelati Breaks American Record in the Half Marathon . January 15, 2024 . Runner's World . en-US . January 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114223818/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a46383308/weini-kelati-half-marathon-american-record/ . live.
31. Web site: Carveth . Jessy . January 22, 2024 . Weini Kelati Triumphs Again With US Cross Country Nationals Victory . January 31, 2024 . en-US . January 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131170633/https://marathonhandbook.com/weini-kelati-usatf-xc/ . live.
32. Web site: Johnson . Robert . Gault . Johnson . March 30, 2024 . Jacob Kiplimo & Beatrice Chebet Repeat at 2024 World XC as Kenyan Women Go 1-2-3-4-5 . March 30, 2024 . LetsRun.com . en.
33. News: Kilgore . Adam . June 30, 2024 . Weini Kelati’s American dream comes full circle at Hayward Field . June 30, 2024 . Washington Post . en-US . 0190-8286.
34. Web site: Kelati . Weini . Dutch . Taylor . November 4, 2022 . After Seeking Asylum in the United States, Weini Kelati Reunites With Her Mom 8 Years Later . October 30, 2023 . Runner's World . en-US . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030015053/https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a41859218/weini-kelati-reunites-with-her-mom/ . live.
35. Web site: April 27, 2020 . Weini Kelati . October 30, 2023 . University of New Mexico Lobos athletics . en-US . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030015053/https://golobos.com/roster/weini-kelati/ . live.
36. Web site: TFRRS Weini Kelati – Track and Field Results & Statistics . 2023-11-08 . www.tfrrs.org . 2023-11-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231102123705/https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/6438775/New_Mexico/Weini_Kelati.html . live .
37. Web site: Weini Kelati - Stats . November 8, 2023 . MileSplit New Mexico . en . November 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108141131/https://nm.milesplit.com/athletes/4666056-weini-kelati . live.