Alphonce Simbu
{{short description|Tanzanian long-distance runner}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Alphonce Felix Simbu
| image = 2017 London Marathon - Alphonce Simbu (cropped).jpg
| caption = Simbu at the 2017 London Marathon
| nationality = Tanzanian
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|2|14|df=yes}}
| birth_place =
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| height =
| weight = 55kg
| country = Tanzania
| sport = Track and field
| event = Marathon
| collegeteam =
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| worlds =
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| pb = 2:04:38
| show-medals = yes
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's athletics}}
{{MedalCountry|{{TAN}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}
{{MedalBronze|2017 London|Marathon}}
{{ medal | Comp | World Marathon Majors }}
{{ medal | S |2025 Boston|Marathon}}
{{MedalCompetition|Commonwealth Games}}
{{MedalSilver|2022 Birmingham|Marathon}}
}}
Alphonce Felix Simbu (born 14 February 1992) is a Tanzanian long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon.{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/tanzania/alphonce-felix-simbu-287379 |title=Alphonce Felix Simbu |publisher=IAAF |date=22 August 2015| accessdate=22 August 2015}}
Career
Simbu competed in the marathon event at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China.
Simbu competed for Tanzania at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's marathon. He finished 5th with a time of 2:11.15.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/athletics-standings-at-mens-marathon |title=Rio 2016 |website=Rio 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908024135/https://www.rio2016.com/en/athletics-standings-at-mens-marathon |archive-date= 8 September 2016 |df= }} He was the flag bearer for Tanzania during the closing ceremony.{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/the-flagbearers-for-the-rio-2016-closing-ceremony|title=The Flagbearers for the Rio 2016 Closing Ceremony|date=21 August 2016|access-date=24 August 2016}}
Simbu won the 14th edition of the Mumbai Marathon on 15 January 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-mumbai-marathon-simbu-sizzles-2292901|title=Simbu sizzles: Tanzanian overcomes stiff challenge from second-placed Kipkorir to win elite full marathon - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=16 January 2017|publisher=|accessdate=16 January 2017}} The same year he won the bronze medal at the 2017 World Athletics Championships Marathon with a time of 2:09:51.
In 2019, Simbu competed in the men's marathon at the 2019 World Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar.{{cite web|url=https://media.aws.iaaf.org/competitiondocuments/pdf/6033/AT-MAR-M-f----.RS6.pdf|title=Marathon Men − Final − Results|publisher=IAAF|date=5 October 2019|accessdate=6 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627234043/https://media.aws.iaaf.org/competitiondocuments/pdf/6033/AT-MAR-M-f----.RS6.pdf|archive-date=27 June 2020}} He finished in 16th place.
In June 2021, Simbu qualified to represent Tanzania at the 2020 Summer Olympics where he secured 7th place with a time of 2:11:35.{{Cite web|title=Only three athletes to represent Tanzania at Tokyo Olympic games|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/sports/only-three-athletes-to-represent-tanzania-at-tokyo-olympic-games-3419354|access-date=20 June 2021|website=The Citizen|language=en}}
Simbu won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the men's marathon event.{{cite web |title=Marathon - Men's Marathon |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/62360812 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=30 July 2022}}
In December 2024, Simbu finished 4th in Valencia Marathon and set his personal best at 2:04:38.[http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/competitiondownload/competition?filename=AT-MAR-M-f----.RS6.pdf&path=%5Cpdf%5C4875%5C&urlslug=marathon-Official%20Results&updatedOn=08%2F22%2F2015%2002%3A43%3A14 Final Results]
Simbu finished second in the 2025 Boston Marathon, in a time of 2:05:04.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2025/04/21/boston-marathon-2025-updates-results-tracking-highlights/83188287007/ |title=Boston Marathon 2025 live: Race updates, highlights, results of 129th running |first=Tom |last=Schad |website=usatoday.com |date=April 21, 2025 |accessdate=April 21, 2025}}
References
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External links
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| c = Category:Alphonce Simbu
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Simbu, Alphonce Felix}}
Category:Tanzanian male long-distance runners
Category:Tanzanian male marathon runners
Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Tanzania
Category:Olympic athletes for Tanzania
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:World Athletics Championships medalists
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Tanzania
Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics
Category:21st-century Tanzanian people
Category:Medallists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2024 Summer Olympics