The 25th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run (GER) International was held Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, with 55,000 runners participating in Africa’s largest road race.
This year’s 10- kilometers road race drew the highest turnout, attracting elite athletes from Kenya and Uganda as well as participants from 24 countries of the world. The prestigious event was held under theme “A Nation in 10 Kilometers.”
Yismaw Dillu won the men’s race, crossing the tape in a time of 28 minutes and 25 seconds while in the women’s competition, Melknat Wudu crossed the finish line first, clocking 32 minutes and 10 seconds.
“The race was very exciting. I am very happy I won the race, beating tough competitors including elite athletes from Kenya and Uganda,” Dillu told APA.
Noting that he stood third in the 24th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run competition, Dillu said the race helps young athletes draw experience and become competent in international competitions.
Haile Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000 meters and founder of the Great Ethiopian Run, said the event demonstrates Ethiopia’s ability to organize big events.
“Organisers of big world races including the 130-year-old Boston Marathon and World Athletics Championships cannot believe that Ethiopia has been organizing GER very successfully every year,” Gebrselassie told reporters.
Recalling that the Great Ethiopian Run has officially been recognized as World Athletics heritage recently, Gebrselassie hopes that Ethiopia will be able to organize World Athletic Events including Diamond League in the near future.
Launched in November 2001, GER has transformed from a local road race into a massive street festival that brings together tens of thousands of Ethiopians and international runners every year.
MG/as/APA