Growing up as a shepherd in Tigray, Ethiopia, Haftu Strintzos, the new Australian marathon record holder lived in an area so remote he didn’t even know running was a sport.
“We were so remote from everything, I didn’t even know running existed as a sport, like as something professional you could do,” he said.
“Of course we used to keep active at school, but we had no TV, it wasn’t that kind of life.
“The only source of information we had was one of those old Nokia phones, until I was about ten years old.”
Two years later Haftu moved to Australia with his adopted mother Maria Strintzos, a remarkable woman who worked as an aid worker in Ethiopia.
“It was quite overwhelming at the time, for someone of my age,” Haftu said of the move to his adopted country.
“But luckily my Mum knows me so well, she knew my background and my family have been amazing here.
“I have had everything I have needed.
“I feel like I have lived two lives in a way, and I’m super grateful for all the opportunities I’ve gotten.
“I consider myself a very lucky man.”
His story is even more remarkable because after arriving in Australia in 2011 he is the new Australian marathon record holder with a time of 2:06.20, after winning the ASICS Gold Coast marathon last weekend.
He is the first Australian to win the event in 20 years.
A teacher at Oakleigh South Primary School first suggested he had natural talent, and he then joined the Oakleigh Little Athletics Club.
Learning English and becoming familiar with a new country, running is what set him on his way.
“Running helped me connect with people, just getting out and about and meeting amazing people,” he said.
“My path has been defined by running.”
Sitting in a cafe in the Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh a few days after the win, Haftu is feeling good considering and reflecting on what was an amazing weekend.
“The body’s a bit wrecked, but that’s nothing unusual with distance and marathon running,” he said
“I’m quite proud of myself for the weekend’s performance, and the record is a big bonus.
“I did have the record in the back of my mind, but I wasn’t too concerned about it as I was more focused on getting the best out of myself and my execution.”
The weekend was a bit of a whirlwind; Haftu rubbed shoulders afterwards with Australian marathon legends Rob de Castella and Steve Moneghetti.
The Gold Coast Marathon was only his fourth ever at that distance, and this time he executed it perfectly.
He runs up to 190kms a week, and credits his Adelaide based coach Adam Didyk, Team Tempo and the Victorian Institute of Sport where he trains for part of his success.
His goal is pretty simple: to get better.
“My plan is to keep working, to improve on the system we have been building with my coach, and ultimately be competitive on the global stage,” he said.
Haftu also credits his family for his success.
“First and foremost I’m extremely grateful to my family who have been so supportive,” he said.
“They have been amazing.”
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 10/7/2026
