BY SUKHDEV CHHATBAR TALKING SPORT
Gabriel Gaey leading the pack in Seoul, South Korea, last week. (Photo by a Correspondent).
For decades, the narrative of East African long-distance running has been defined by the high-altitude dominance of Kenya and Ethiopia. Their athletes have long been the gold standard, sweeping podiums from Boston to Berlin and setting world records that seemed untouchable. However, a significant shift is underway. Tanzania, once a quiet participant in the shadow of its more decorated neighbors, is rapidly emerging as a formidable powerhouse, reshaping the competitive landscape of distance running in the region and beyond.
The most recent evidence of this transformation came last week in South Korea, where Tanzanian marathoner Gabriel Gaey delivered a masterclass in endurance and strategy. Competing against a world-class field at the Seoul Marathon, Gaey surged ahead in the final stages of the race to claim a stunning victory, clocking a personal best and sending a clear message to the global running community.
Gaey’s triumph is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader, sustained resurgence of Tanzanian athletics. Over the past few years, the country has produced a new generation of runners who are no longer content with merely participating; they are competing for—and winning—titles on the biggest stages. Athletes like Alphonse Simbu, a consistent top-ten finisher in major marathons and a medalist at the Commonwealth Games, have paved the way, proving that Tanzanian distance runners possess the grit and talent to challenge the very best.
What makes the current moment significant is not just the victories themselves but the pattern they form. For decades, Kenya and Ethiopia have dominated marathon headlines, commanding global sponsorships and setting the benchmark for endurance excellence. Tanzania, while historically respected, was often viewed as a secondary force within the East African distance-running ecosystem. That perception is gradually changing. Tanzanian athletes are now consistently finishing on podiums, winning gold medals and setting national records that place them within the elite global bracket.
Behind the medal lies a combination of factors that analysts point to as driving the rise of Tanzanian athletics. Increased investment in grassroots talent identification, the establishment of more structured training camps in high-altitude regions like Arusha and Manyara, and a renewed focus from the national athletics federation have all played a part. Furthermore, the success of pioneers like Gaey and Simbu has provided a powerful psychological boost, inspiring younger runners to believe that global success is within their reach.
