Ayelech Worku (born June 12, 1979) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, most known for winning two World Championships bronze medals on the 5000 metres.

She was born in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia province, the same region as double Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie.

She attended her first World Championships in Athletics shortly after and finished 12th in the 5000 m. She began to make progress in cross country running, taking the junior bronze at the 1997 IAAF World Cross Country Championships before helping Ethiopia to the team silver at the 1998 edition and then the team gold with a fourth-place finish in the long race at the 1999 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

A ninth place at the 2000 World Championships competition brought yet another team gold for Ethiopia.

Worku made her second Olympic appearance at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she finished in fourth place in the 5000 m behind compatriot Gete Wami.