Birhanu Legese Gurmesa (born 11 September 1994)[2] is an Ethiopian long-distance runner.

Legese is currently part of the NN Running Team, which is managed by Global Sports Communication.

[3] Born and raised in Woliso, around 100 km south west of Addis Ababa, Birhanu Legese started out as a talented sprinter, winning area 100 metres and 200 m titles.

[1] In 2012, he ran 10 kilometres races, finishing second at the Great Ethiopian Run and, in his international debut, winning the Corrida de Houilles in France.

[7] In September that year, Legese finished second at the Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:02:48 to move to third on the world all-time list behind only Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele.