I wanted to be famous. I wanted people to talk about me.

• Age for me is just a number.
• I'm lucky. The best possible place in the world for training is Addis Ababa, so I am home all the time except when I am racing. I like to be there, near my family, my kids, also the real estate business I run with my wife.
• I find the business world hard.
• You must do as your people do. If my people are poor, I must be poor. People ask me, 'Why don't you find a personal coach or a private car?' I can't. Then I won't be part of my people.
• I have to change a lot of things before I become a good marathon runner.
• I feel a social responsibility. We need to open people's eyes. There is a lack of education in Ethiopia.
• The more you are getting older, you lose a little something. Of course there is another advantage, because of your long experience you can use it.
• I wanted to experience New York, to look up and see buildings.
• I'm lucky. The best possible place in the world for training is Addis Ababa, so I am home all the time except when I am racing. I like to be there, near my family, my kids, also the real estate business I run with my wife.
• I wanted to be famous. I wanted people to talk about me.