BY SINTAYEHU TAMIRAT
The vibe of the Great Ethiopian Run (GER) Sunday morning was one of the most spectacular moments for Addis Ababa.
It brought together tens of thousands of people from home and abroad to the capital in festive mood.
Senior government officials including Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, Addis- based diplomats, Ethiopia’s legends in the athletics, long-distance elite athletes from Ethiopia and abroad and tourists who are keen to take part in GER- Africa’s distance race with largest number of partakers- were part of the 23rd GER.
The over 45 thousand Ethiopians crowding the streets of Addis, wearing colorful attires, some dancing in groups, others focusing on the race, still others cheering and greeting friends or others in the party to show solidarity, gave Sunday morning’s event a perfectly mixed vibe of joy, sport and unity.
In the men's section of the 23rd edition of the GER elite athletes’ race, Biniam Mehari from Ethio Electric Sports Club won the 10,000KM. Zenebe Ayele, an amateur athlete, came second as Jirata Lelisa took third place.
In women’s same distance race, Melknesh Wudu and Tekina Amare from Ethiopian Commercial Bank won first and third place, Megertu Alemu from Elite Management Team took second place.
Earlier than the elite 10KM races was a wheelchair race. In this section, Tsehaynesh Amare beat the race first as Anchinesh Nibret and Ashu Agegnehu took second and third places respectively.
In men’s wheelchair race, Abreham Tulu came first, while Dems Abera and Mihret Bezaye came second and third respectively.
Winners received the prizes from senior government officials and senior athletes.