Centro de medios de NYRR

Mekonen, who kicked off his 2020 with a victory at the NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10K, has finished in the top five twice at the United Airlines NYC Half. He claimed the third podium spot in 2017 and then took fourth place in 2018. He returned to Central Park just three weeks after the 2018 edition of the event to take third place at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K.

In 2015, Mekonen ran 1:00:27 at the Prague Half-Marathon—at the time, a personal best by 54 seconds—setting his best time for 15K (42:46) and 20K (57:10) as well en route. He burst onto the international scene the following year at age 22 with an 11th place finish at the IAAF Half Marathon World Championships, where he represented Ethiopia in Cardiff, Wales.