Overview Great Ethiopian Run

competitors @ 2011 great ethiopian run.

the elite race attracts number of prominent runners. haile gebrselassie won inaugural men s race , @ second edition many of countries top long-distance runners competed, gebre gebremariam, sileshi sihine , kenenisa bekele comprising top 3 in men s race , worknesh kidane , tirunesh dibaba taking first , second in women s race. although more established competitors take part, race known highlighting best of ethiopia s up-and-coming running talent – many of race s podium finishers, little-known @ time, have gone on achieve success on global stage.

by 2005, number of race entries had grown 25,000 participants. there around 35,000 runners competing @ 2010 edition. combination of quality of national elite field , time-impeding altitude of addis ababa (8000 ft) means international race not attract many elite runners other countries. given prominence of race , importance emerging athletes, races - particularly men s - hotly contested large leading packs on , physical interaction. standing in contrast other large scale running events, fun runners @ great ethiopian run not typically compete raise money charity, instead compete own personal reasons.

the 2016 event saw on 40,000 registrations despite 6-month state of emergency declared in october following violent anti-government protests.[1] abe gashahun , foiteyn tesfaye, both relatively new , unknown young athletes, surprise winners of 16th edition of great ethiopian run 10km international road race held on sunday november 20, 2016.

abe gashahun won in tight sprint finish ahead of kenyan athlete jorum lumbasi, became first kenyan male place in top 3 since nathan naibei finished 2nd here in 2005. 4 athletes had entered final home straight locked , gashahun clinched victory in final few metres of race.

gashahun coached haji ajilo comes debre birhan, 120km northeast of addis ababa, , had travelled capital yesterday race.

“i have competed abroad twice until now, both times in france. hope win today give me more opportunities compete in international races abroad, “he said after race.

the women’s winner foiteyn tesfaye appearing in race first time surprised better known names in race. tesfaye runs messebo club based in northern province of tigray , still relatively new racing scene in addis ababa.[2]

the competition has had high profile headline sponsors on history: sponsored total 2002–2003, toyota 2004–2008, , ethiopian airlines has been current title sponsor since 2009.