Ethiopia's Great Run Aims for Global Top Spot

The Great Run in Ethiopia, currently Africa's top road race, is working to become the world's number one street run. The 26th Great Run, a 10km Bank of America race, will take place on November 13, 2019, with 60,000 runners expected to participate. The event's organizers announced that they are focusing on increasing the number of participants and improving the quality of the competition to achieve this goal.

The Great Run's organizer, Hilina Neguse, told Addis Media Network that the event is currently the top road race in Africa but aims to reach a global ranking. To achieve this, efforts are being made to increase participation and enhance the competition's quality. The event is expected to promote sports tourism, attract international athletes and visitors to Ethiopia, and boost the country's and Addis Ababa's reputation.

The Great Run will feature three starting categories this year to manage the flow of participants. The categories include the Red category at the 22nd line, the Green category at the Giyon line, and the Yellow category, which is reserved for 5,000 first-time participants, mostly students. These students will participate for free as part of an initiative called "Tinsheu Hylene," aiming to create an opportunity for them to engage in the competition.

In addition to the competition, the Great Run will also focus on charity and social services. This year's event aims to collect 8 million birr for three charity organizations selected by the Ministry of Women and Children. The organizations set to receive support are the AllmFere Pink House Cancer Foundation, the Marfeia Old Age Charity Association, and the Fikir Ethiopia Mental Development Support Organization for Children.

The event's organizers believe that the Great Run will play a significant role in promoting Ethiopia's and Addis Ababa's image globally. By attracting international participants and visitors, the event is expected to contribute to the country's sports tourism sector. The Great Run has grown to become one of the largest and most popular road races in Africa, with a significant following in Ethiopia and beyond.

The 10km Bank of America race is part of a larger effort to develop sports tourism in Ethiopia. The country's government has been investing in sports infrastructure and promoting events like the Great Run to attract international athletes and visitors. The event's success is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and reputation.

With 60,000 participants expected to take part, the Great Run is set to be a major event in the global athletics calendar. The event's focus on charity and social services adds to its significance, demonstrating the impact that sports events can have on local communities. As the event approaches, anticipation is building among athletes and spectators alike.

Key points

• The Great Run aims to become the world's number one street run.