He competed at the global level on all surfaces in 2005: he was fourth at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships (taking the team gold with the winner Kenenisa Bekele), managed seventh in the 10,000 m at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, and then set a half marathon personal best of 1:01:53 to take fifth place and the team title at the 2005 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. He elevated himself to the fifth fastest 10,000 m runner of all-time at the FBK Games in Hengelo, completing the distance in a time of 26:30.74 (although Bekele finished ahead of him). He also ran at the 2005 IAAF World Athletics Final, finishing ninth over 5000 metres. At the end of the year he retained his title at the Lotto Cross Cup and won the 10K race at the BOclassic in Bolzano.