Deriba Merga and Coach Haji Adilo

(let to right) Me, Coach Haji Adilo, and Deriba Merga

Haji Adilo coaches athletes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  His athletes include Dire Tune, the winner of the 2013 Boston marathon, the winner of the 2013 Rotterdam marathon, and the runner-up in this year's 2014 Dubai marathon.  He also coached Deriba when he won the 2009 Boston marathon.

Deriba Merga from Ethiopia has personal bests of 2:06:38 in the marathon and 59:15 in the half marathon.

Merga was 4th in the marathon at the 2008 Olympics.

Deriba Merga on left and me