2017 Great Ethiopia Run attracts thousands of marathon enthusiasts.

Record ID: 939242

  • Title: 2017 Great Ethiopia Run attracts thousands of marathon enthusiasts.
  • Date: 27th November 2017
  • Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (NOVEMBER 26, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RUNNERS AT THE START LINE
  • Embargoed: 11th December 2017 15:48
  • Keywords: Great Ethiopia Run runners athletes race marathon
  • Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • City: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Topics: Marathon,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA00179932HJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands turned out for this year's edition of the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa on Sunday (November 26), an annual event that sees runners cover a 10 kilometer course through the capital.
    The event brought together people running for fun as well as upcoming and professional runners as part of campaigns to raise funds for various charities and encourage people to stay fit.
    Eighty-seven year old Tilahun Masresha is one of the runners who took part.
    "I hope the youth will look at us elderly people and get encouraged. I see them in Dire Dawa where I am from; they take a tricycle taxi to commute over a very short distance. They don't like walking. I advice them to engage in physical exercise like me for a long and healthy life," he said.
    Now in its 17th edition, the run said to be Africa's biggest road race, attracted over 44,000 local and international runners.
    The race is also a great opportunity for scouts to spot upcoming athletes.
    Ethiopia which alongside neighbour Kenya has for many years dominated distance running, had its credibility questioned earlier last year when six of its athletes came under investigation for doping.
    The east African nation is also struggling with a slump in form and won a single gold medal at last year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, its poorest haul since 1992.
    The women's category was won by Zeynab Yimer while the men's category was clinched by Selemon Barega, both aspiring athletes who took home about 3,648 dollars each in prize money.
    "The race was very good and I am happy I won because it will open up chances for me to compete internationally," said women's category winner, Zeynab Yimer.
    "I have always dreamed of one day winning the Great Ethiopian Run to be on the list with the likes of Haile and Gebre-Egzaiabher. It is a great opportunity to win. It was my long time wish and I am happy to have achieved it," said men's category winner, Selemon Barega.
    The run was launched in 2001 by retired athletics legend, Haile Gebrselassie.
    Now the president of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, Gebrselassie says he wants to help tap new talent and see the country produce more top athletes.
    "The winner of this race in both men and women, they are upcoming athletes and the prize money this year is 100,000 Birr. Which means it is a lot for these athletes and the top three both men and women, they are new faces. I am so happy to just see those athletes and in the future we are going to have more and more youngsters and at the same time it will change the image of the country," he said.
    Organizers are planning about 14 races in parts of the country in the coming year. Over the past 5 years the Great Ethiopia Run has supported more than 32 different organizations raising over 360,000 US dollars.
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