Ethiopia's Berhanu Hayle seeks a Boston Marathon repeat

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss | BOSTON

Ethiopian runner Lemi Berhanu Hayle will defend his Boston Marathon title in a wide open race on Monday against a men's field that includes the first American champion in three decades and no clear favorite.

Berhanu Hayle won last year's race in two hours 12 minutes 44 seconds after pulling away from twice champion and countryman Lelisa Desisa, who is not competing this year.

The last men's repeat winner was five-time champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya, who completed a triple in 2008.

An Ethiopian woman, Atsede Baysa, will also be defending her title after winning in 2:29:19.

Berhanu Hayle's main challengers will include countryman Sisay Lemma, who ran 2:05:16 in Dubai last year, and Kenyans Geoffrey Kirui who ran 2:06:27 in Amsterdam last year and Emmanuel Mutai, who was second in New York and Chicago, and has the field's fastest personal best of 2:03:13.

The hilly Boston course usually leads to slower times than other major marathons.

"Any move (Berhanu Hayle) makes will be taken seriously by the others," said Scott Douglas, a contributing editor at Runner's World. "With no clear standouts this year, Boston will be a very interesting race to watch."

Making a farewell appearance will be Meb Keflezighi, who gave Boston an emotional boost when he became the first American man to win in three decades in 2014, one year after a pair of brothers of Chechen origin killed three people and injured more than 200 at the finish line with a pair of homemade bombs.

Keflezighi, 41, plans to retire from competition after November's New York City marathon.

"It will be very emotional to get to Hopkinton (where the race starts), but I'm excited. I know the course and I'm 100 percent healthy," he said.

Galen Rupp, who won marathon bronze at the Rio Olympics but has had foot problems this year, and Jared Ward, who wrote his masters thesis on marathon pacing, join a large U.S. contingent.

Strong women contenders include Kenyans Gladys Cherono, Edna Kiplagat and Brigid Kosgei.

These women will be racing in part because of Kathrine Switzer, who became the first woman to finish the then all-male Boston race with a bib 50 years ago.

Switzer, 70, will wear the same number - 261 - when she steps to the line to race again on Monday. "I will put on the full regalia: the bib plus the eye liner, mascara and lipstick," she said.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Scott Malone and Larry Fine) Read more here

Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa, American Molly Huddle Win NYC Half

NEW YORK (AP) — Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia ran the fastest time in five years in winning the NYC Half, and Molly Huddle of the United States won her third straight women's title in the 13.1-mile race

Lilesa, the silver medalist in the marathon at the 2016 Olympics, was timed in 1 hour, 4 seconds Sunday and finished ahead of Britain's Callum Hawkins (1:00:08) and fellow Ethiopian Teshome Mekonen (1:00:28). Lilesa outsprinted both in the final stretch for his first win in 2017.

Huddle finished in 1:08:19 over the course from Central Park to Lower Manhattan. Emily Sisson, Huddle's training partner, was second (1:08:21) and Burundi's Diane Nukuri was third (1:09:13).

Huddle's time was the third-fastest in the 12-year history of the event, which drew 20,000 runners.

South Africa's Ernst van Dyk, a two-time New York City Marathon champion in the wheelchair event, won the men's race in 47:28. U.S. Paralympian Susannah Scaroni won the women's race in 55:06.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read more here

FOR-RUN SECRETARY Boris Johnson looks out of puff as he races Ethiopian Olympic running champion Haile Gebrselassie

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

NOW

COMMENT

BORIS Johnson hit the ground running on his tour of East Africa – by taking a jog with long-distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie.

The Foreign Secretary pulled on a pair of trainers to take a run alongside the Ethiopian sporting icon.

GETTY IMAGES

14

The Foreign Secretary out for a jog with double Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie, as crowds wave flags at the side of the road

GETTY IMAGES

14

Unfortunately for Bozza, Gebrselassie pipped him to the line in both running and fashion stakes

GETTY IMAGES

14

The pair consoled eachother on their joint effort at the end of the run, with Haile looking rather less worse for wear than the Foreign Secretary

He tweeted: “Phew! Also went for a jog with running legend Haile Gebrselassie! An honour to meet one of Ethiopia’s sporting greats.”

Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic 10,000m gold medal winner and former marathon world record holder, was characteristically smiley alongside his lumbering political pal.

And he beat Bozza in the fashion stakes too with the Foreign Secretary taking to the starting blocks in a pair of baggy blue shorts, an old polo shirt and black socks. Read more here

Hayatou arrives in Ethiopia as he bids to keep CAF Presidency

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou has arrived in Addis Ababa where he will be aiming to secure an eighth term at the head of the continental governing body.

Hayatou’s sole challenger Ahmad Ahmad, the Madagascar Football Association head, has also touched down in Ethiopia’s capital with the election due to take place on Thursday (March 16) as part of CAF’s 39th Ordinary General Assembly at African Union headquarters.

The vote will take place amid troubling times for CAF, which along with Hayatou and secretary general Hicham El Amrani has been referred to the Egyptian Economic Court by the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) and the public prosecutor for financial and commercial affairs. 

The charges against the Cairo-based CAF, Hayatou and El Amrani relate to a broadcast rights deal with Lagardère Sports, which the company were allegedly given without a formal tender process as required by Egyptian law.

CAF accused the ECA of conducting a "trial by media", claiming the referral of the case was made "following only a few days of investigations and without any communication or engagement whatsoever with the CAF".

They have labelled the charges as "unsubstantiated", "groundless" and "without merit" and have vowed to "vigorously defend its position, its rights and reputation using all legal means available under international law".

The accusations and the subsequent case only heighten the pressure on 70-year-old Hayatou, an honorary International Olympic Committee member, as he prepares for arguably the toughest challenge to his Presidency he has ever faced.

Ahmad is gaining support within the CAF membership and it is thought the election will be close.

"I am happy I am finally in Addis Ababa," Ahmad told SuperSport, a South African group of television channels.

Ahmad Ahmad, the Madagascar Football Association head, is challenging long-standing CAF President Issa Hayatou in the election ©Getty Images

"We have waited for this moment and we want to conclude the elections on Thursday so that Africa can revert back to football.

"I am hoping for good tidings as I have campaigned efficiently."

A total of 500 participants, including those from CAF member countries and well-known football players, are expected at the General Assembly which will serve as a celebration of CAF’s 60th anniversary.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is due to arrive today, accompanied by world football’s governing body’s secretary general Fatma Samoura.

Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, is advocating for a change at the head of CAF.

While the ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan forward says Hayatou has made a huge contribution to African football over his 29 years at the helm, he wants the body to make way for new reforms to be brought in.

"No institution resists the laws of cycles and change," Eto’o, who currently plays his club football for Turkish outfit Antalyaspor, told Jeune Afrique.

"I just hope that these changes will help African football to evolve, because it is the most important.

Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o is advocating for change at the top of African football's governing body ©Getty Images

"The development of CAN (the Africa Cup of Nations) has improved infrastructure, and that is important.

"But the main beneficiaries of these changes must be players, especially those in Africa.

"We should bring more freshness to open up other horizons, without denying what has been done.

"These changes could prolong and improve what has been accomplished.

"Look at FIFA; the arrival of Gianni Infantino in the Presidency has reignited innovation.

"Trying to do something else at the head of CAF is not a bad idea."

Ethiopian Football Federation President Juneidin Basha told the Ethiopian News Agency that the General Assembly will allow the country to attract more attention from CAF members in its bid to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Read more here

The Ethiopia protesters’ struggle moves to the athletics track

While a state of emergency is still in place at home, global sporting events are providing an irresistible opportunity for protesters to be seen and heard.

Athlete protests at the 2016 Rio Olympics provided a public relations nightmare for the Ethiopian government. Credit: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil.

As she crossed the finish line in Sabadell, Spain, on 7 February, Ethiopian star athlete Genzebe Dibaba had attained her sixth world record. After a disappointing silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, running the fastest 2,000 metres ever for a woman marked a good start to the year.

However, Genzebe’s triumph caught the attention of many of her compatriots for political rather than sporting reasons.

As she celebrated her victory, someone from the cheering crowd threw a flag at her. Genzebe picked it up, but immediately realised that the horizontal tricolour of green, yellow and red lacked something in the middle: the flaring yellow star on a blue disc. She quickly dropped the flag  and waved to her fans instead.

A similar incident had occurred in the January Dubai marathon in which Ethiopian athletes won a clean-sweep. In the glow of that victory, the women’s race winner Worknesh Degefa was handed a non-starred flag, which she also swiftly discarded.

These incidents stirred some controversy, but they would have stirred much more if the athletes hadn’t acted so promptly – not least because a 2009 Ethiopian law bans citizens from displaying the unstarred flag.

[Never Again? Inside Ethiopia’s “retraining” programme for thousands of detained protesters]

Flagging politics

The current Ethiopian flag was introduced by the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF) in 1996 as it ushered the country towards a federal system of government organised along ethno-linguistic lines. The star – added onto the plain tricolour – was meant to symbolise the ethnic and religious diversity embraced by the new structure. But some nationalists renounced this modified version, claiming the EPRDF’s system undermines Ethiopian unity.

Some have thus come to see the older non-starred flag as an emblem of a bygone era and symbol of protest. In 2014, US-based activists tried to lower the official flag at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC. Two years later, activists succeeded in changing the official banner with a non-starred one at the Embassy in London. And the old flag became a clear sign of resistance when the Amhara, the country’s second largest sub-nation, joined the Oromo, the largest, in protesting against the government in 2016.

[“The blood flowing in Oromia is our blood too”: Why Oromo-Amhara solidarity is the greatest threat to the Ethiopian government]

Global sporting events have also provided a strategic site for these symbolic struggles. As sports journalist Elshadai Negash points out, the convergence of sport and politics in Ethiopia goes back decades, with the country boycotting the Olympics in 1976, 1984 and 1988. But while these previous actions were led by the government of the time, sporting events today are more likely to be used for political purposes by activists to oppose the government.

After winning the 10km race in the UK in 2013, for instance, Guddina Dabale defiantly flew a flag often associated with the Oromo Liberation Front, an outlawed secessionist group. And as protest intensified in Ethiopia from late-2015, big international sporting events became a useful space to increase the visibility of dissent against the government.

[Ethiopia’s unprecedented nationwide Oromo protests: who, what, why?]

[Ethiopia: How popular uprising became the only option]

The apex in this intersection between Ethiopian athletics and politics so far has been the marathon event at the Rio Olympics. At the finish line of that race, silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa crossed his wrists over his head, a gesture widely used by the Oromo protesters. His lead was followed by others, including Tamiru Demisse who made the signal, which symbolises being handcuffed, as he competed in the 1,500 meters event at the Rio Paralympics.

For Feyisa, who is now resident in the US claiming his life would be in jeopardy if he returned home, global sporting stages provide an invaluable opportunity to draw widespread attention to injustices. “Athletes like me, who have the chance to go abroad for competition, when they get such an international stage like this and win, they need to speak out,” he told the German broadcaster DW.

Indeed, Feyisa’s actions made international headlines as activists in the diaspora capitalised on the moment to highlight their cause, generating plenty of coverage. Feyisa “opened so many doors that we’ve been knocking on for years”, noted Mohammed Ademo, an Oromo activist and US-based founder of Opride.

Politics meets sport

With the actions of certain athletes providing a public relations nightmare for the Ethiopian government, several prominent athletes back home have spoken out against the politicisation of sport.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Kenenisa Bekele, for example, appeared on the state broadcaster to denounce athletes who made political statements, saying “politics and athletics do not go together”. Meanwhile, double Olympic gold medallist Haile Gebrselassie, who now heads the country’s athletics federation, has warned that he will take harsh measures against any erring athletes.

Haile had previously invited criticism for commenting that “democracy is a luxury”. But Sileshi Sehen, an Olympic silver medallist and chair of the Ethiopian athletes association, argues that Haile is ultimately guided by what is best for the competitors. “He was an athlete for many years; he understands all the pressure that comes from different sides,” he says.

According to Girma Gutema, an Oromo activist based in Norway, there is a divide between many of today’s athletes and previous cohorts. “The new generation of Ethiopian athletes are relatively more educated, vibrant and visible on social media [than many] politicians in the ruling party”, he says.

But as the examples of Genzebe and Worknesh quickly dropping the unstarred flag demonstrate, not all of Ethiopia’s current athletes want to use their profile to protest. While athletics is proving useful for politics, politics is proving awkward for many sportspeople.

“Athletics is evolving into being a divisive rather than a unifying affair,” says an Ethiopian sports journalist who asked to remain anonymous. “And I am not sure if the athletes are enjoying this. From what I know, many of them would very much like to avoid any form of controversy, political or otherwise.”

Nevertheless, as discontent continues to simmer in Ethiopia, the global stage and attention provided by athletics events may remain an irresistible opportunity for activists to express political messages. As the state of emergency remains in place, it is one of the few avenues for protesters to still be seen and heard, says Girma, “so long as the government continues to muzzle the political space for the expression of dissent”.

Kalkidan Yibeltal is an Ethiopian writer and journalist based in Addis Ababa. Read more here

Indian Athletes Can Dominate Kenyans, Ethiopians in Future: Haile Gebrselassie

New Delhi: Two-time Olympic gold medallist long distance runner Haile Gebrselassie on Friday predicted that Indian atheltes will outshine their Kenyan, Ethiopian and other African counterparts on the track in the coming days.

Gebrselassie reckoned that it is just a matter of time when India produces that first athelete who wins a medal at a major international event like the Olympics or a World Championship and a number of youngsters will begin to follow his/her footsteps.

"Believe me, the Indians have the talent, perfect body structure for long distance but the only thing is they should be motivated and they show knowhow to train. If they can do that, I am afraid in the future Indians can dominate the Kenyans and Ethiopians in athletics," said the 43-year-old, who will flag-off the IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi marathon on Sunday alongside cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.

"Its very difficult to find a first athlete, who won the first medal but once he/she gets that, it will be very easy. Specially in a country like India... the problem is to find that first athlete who can inspire others," he added.

Gebrselassie, who also is a brand ambassador of sports apparel brand adidas -- the marathon's official running partner, urged the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to motivate the potential medal winners who, he felt, will be found in remote parts rather than in bigger cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

"AFI needs to try to motivate the athletes. Here in India, cricket is a big sport. At the same time cricketers get sponsors... likewise, if you sponsor the athletes, they can really do good," he said.

"But at the same time, it's difficult to find such athletes in big cities like Delhi and Mumbai, it's mostly from the countyside where you can find those talents, who can be groomed to be potential medal-winners in major international events."

"India is a much better country than Ethiopia or Kenya in terms of economy. I have never seen a rich family in Ethiopia producing an athlete, 95 percent of them come from a poor family," he added.

A winner of four World Championship titles, Gebrselassie also had a piece of advice for ordinary citizens who find it difficult to focus on their fitness in their daily life.

"Running is part of my life. Even after retiring, I spend almost 30 minutes running everyday, sometimes I hit the gym. I got myself injured during hard training two months ago."

"One does not need to go outside to keep oneself fit. You can take a bicycle, a small machine in your house, you can train without going outside and sweat inside," he said. Read more here

Winner of 2017 Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon: Ethiopia’s Gezu Belete Mekonen

An Ethiopian runner won the 2017 Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon today. However, he did not break the record set last year by a Kenyan runner. 40,000 runners participated in the highly anticipated event in the city.

40,000 runners from all over Israel and around the world made their way to the Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon starting line this morning (Friday) for the country’s largest sporting event of the year. In addition to the runners, 150,000 spectators cheered along the sidelines of the routes throughout the city.

Gezu Belete Mekonen of Ethiopia won this year’s marathon with a time of 02:12:12. The Ethiopian failed to beat the time set last year by Kenya’s William Kiprono Yagon (2:10:30). The Tel Aviv Municipality had set aside a prize of $40,000 for any runner who completed the marathon in under 2:07:59. According to the municipality, the same prize will be offered next year. Read more here

Kenyan runner sees challenge from Ethiopian in Lake Biwa marathon

Kenya’s Vincent Kipruto on Thursday confirmed he will seek fast time as he competes in Japan at the Lake Biwa Marathon on March 5.

With little hope of getting selection to the Kenyan team to the World Championships in London, Kipruto who is the Xiamen Marathon champion from China is ready to risk everything to improve on his personal best time.

“It is hard to get into Kenyan team because there are so many runners who are vying for the positions available. But I hope if I continue doing well, I may soon get myself in the team and that is why I have to do well at Lake Biwa event,” Kipruto said.

Indeed, alongside challenge from compatriot Ezekiel Kiptoo Chebii, there will be other danger looming especially from Ethiopia’s Endeshaw Negesse, who leads the entries for the marathon, which is ranked as an IAAF Gold Label race.

Negesse, who is the 2015 Tokyo Marathon champion, set his best time of 2:04:52 during the Dubai Marathon back in 2013 and has a lot of experience in road running. This fast time makes him the fastest in this year’s field, but this will be his first race in 16 months.

Kipruto and Kiptoo will be his main challengers. Kiptoo has been improving steadily in recent years. He reduced his best time to 2:06:07 at last year’s Amsterdam Marathon.

World bronze medalist Solomon Mutai excels at championships, but the Ugandan is still awaiting a breakthrough in an international marathon and will be aiming to do better than his 11th-place finish from last year.

Eritrean Olympian Tewelde Estifanos, Ethiopian 20-year-old Yihunilgn Adane and marathon debutant El Hassan Elabbassi of Bahrain are also set to compete.

The race is also the final opportunity for Japanese marathon runners to impress the team selectors ahead of the IAAF World Championships London 2017. Enditem

Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh

Ethiopian runner who protested in Rio reunites with family

The Ethiopian marathoner crouched down low in the hallway at the Miami airport as he carried a bouquet of red roses.

Feyisa Lilesa's daughter spotted him first and ran in for a hug. Then, his young son and lastly his wife.

On Valentine's Day, the Olympic silver medalist who became an international figure when he crossed his wrists in protest at the finish line in Rio de Janeiro finally reunited with his family. He was a little late (traffic), but what's a few extra minutes when he's already waited six long months to see them.

As he made his way out of the airport, his son perched on his shoulders and his daughter rode on the luggage, carrying the flowers he brought as a gift.

"The biggest gift is us seeing each other again — and me seeing them again," Lilesa said through a translator in a phone interview Tuesday. "It's all been very tough."

The 27-year-old eventually settled in Flagstaff, Arizona, after making an anti-government gesture during the Olympic marathon that drew global attention to the deadly protests in his home region of Oromia. He never returned home after Brazil out of fear of what might happen to him. He's constantly been worrying about the family he left behind in Ethiopia. His nearly 6-year-old daughter, Soko, and 3 ½-year-old son, Sora, always asked when they will see him again.

Finally, he was able to answer.

Lilesa remains in the U.S. on a special skills visa. His family arrived on visas as well, secured through his attorney.

The plan now is this: A few days of beach time and then it's off to Flagstaff where the family will settle into everyday life in their rental house.

One weight off his mind.

Still, he can't forget what his country is going through, with the Oromia region experiencing anti-government protests over recent months. Violent anti-government protests spread to other parts of Ethiopia and led to a state of emergency that was declared in October.

Since his gesture, many have described Lilesa as a national hero.

"My mind is pretty much occupied by what is happening back home," Lilesa said. "Whether I'm running or I'm sleeping or I'm laying back, my family and what is happening in Ethiopia — and what is happening to my people — that's constantly on my mind."

Most days since his arrival in America have been spent training. It was his best cure for loneliness.

"I come from a very big family, and I've never lived alone," Lilesa said. "I've always been surrounded by people I know. This has been the complete opposite. Here, I'm removed from all of that."

Still, he would protest all over again.

"I think me taking the risk and putting family in that position and putting them potentially in harm's way, it was a good lesson for a lot of people that you need to sacrifice in order for you to win some concessions and change your situation," Lilesa said. "In that sense, it inspires people to fight for their rights and resist the government in Ethiopia. It also led to greater awareness about the situation in Ethiopia.

"Now, you see more coverage of the human rights violations. I speak with people wherever I go. Even outside the media limelight, people are interested in knowing. They heard the story because of my protest."

Someday, he would like to go back to Ethiopia.

"But as long as this current government is in power, I don't have hope of going back to Ethiopia," he explained. "I do know change is inevitable."

He also wants to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Whether that's wearing the colors of Ethiopia, he doesn't know.

"I'm not too hopeful the system will be changed in the next three years and I will be in a position to run for Ethiopia. We will have to wait and see," said Lilesa, who plans to run in the London Marathon in two months.

For now, Lilesa's priority is getting his family settled.

"I knew that we would meet somehow, but I didn't expect it would happen under these circumstances over here," Lilesa said. "When I think about my family, it takes me back to why I did this and why I'm here. I missed my family, but this was a big bother to me — the plight of my people." Read more here

GIDEY, TAMIRE AND DIDA AMONG THE WINNERS AT ETHIOPIAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

World U20 cross-country champion Letesenbet Gidey and national 5000m champion Getaneh Tamire Molla were among the winners of the 34th Jan Meda International Cross Country, Ethiopia’s trials for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017, at the Jan Meda race course in Addis Ababa on Sunday (12).  

ANOTHER JUNIOR TITLE FOR GIDEY

When Gidey won the national junior 6km title two years ago, she was a little-known entity hoping to land a place on Ethiopia’s team for the 2015 World Cross Country Championships.  

But after leading her compatriots to a sweep of the first four places in Guiyang, China, Gidey returned to the Jan Meda race course with the undisputed favourite’s tag. She did not disappoint by taking the race from the front and winning her second national junior title.  

Only Zeyneh Yimer was able to stay with Gidey as she hit the front just before the first two-kilometre mark. The experienced junior edged away from Yimer in the final kilometre for a textbook front-running victory in 21:17. Yimer, although 20 seconds behind the winner, was a comfortable second ahead of Hawi Feyisa.   

“I was prepared for this,” Gidey said. “It is my dream to win gold for my country on a big stage.”

MOLLA DEFENDS, UPSETS FAVORITES TO TAKE MEN’S SENIOR RACE 

With 2011 world 10,000m champion Ibrahim Jeilan, 2011 world cross-country champion Imane Merga and 2013 world junior cross-country bronze medallist Muktar Edris in the line-up, the senior men’s race was billed as the highlight of the championships. It delivered on the promise of racing drama and ambitious front running, but the identity of the race winner was a pleasant surprise after five laps of cutthroat competition.   

Getaneh Tamire Molla may have won the same title last year competing against less-known names, but the 20-year-old was expected to play second fiddle to the bigger names in this year’s running.

After a nervy start, the leading quartet of Bonsa Dida, Jemal Yimer, Olympian Abadi Hadis, and Tamire began to stretch out the field as Jeilan, Edris, and Mergia struggled to keep with the leaders.  

After three laps of exchanging leads, Hadis moved marginally ahead of Tamire at the bell. Continuing his chase until the last kilometre, Tamire eventually overtook his more illustrious compatriot in the final 500 metres to take victory over the 10km course in 30:57, four seconds ahead of Hadis, with Moges Teumay coming home third to complete the medal trio.

None of the pre-race favourites were able to occupy the top four places that would guarantee selection to Ethiopia’s squad for next month’s World Cross Country Championships.  

“The race was very tough,” Tamire said. “The course was curvy and the weather was hot. I was only planning to be one of the medallists. I knew I had a chance to win on the last lap because I felt very comfortable.” 

DIDA’S PATIENCE REWARDED

In the senior women’s 10km, national 5000m champion Dera Dida continued her strong domestic form with a patient, come-from-behind victory ahead of 2013 world 10,000m bronze medallist Belaynesh Oljira and Yebrgual Melese, the pre-race favourites. 

A slow start to the race saw a large group take the first two kilometres in a pedestrian pace as no one chose to take advantage by hitting the front. At about halfway, the group dwindled to a handful of runners as Melese, Oljira and Gebeyanesh Ayele exchanged the lead at the front, but closely followed by another quartet of runners including eventual race winner Dida.

After the intrigue and anticipation on the fourth lap, Oljira took the first initiative to kick at the bell. Her breakaway attempt was quickly closed down. It was Ayele who then tried to outpower her opponents with a kick of her own only to be foiled easily by the chasing pack. But when Dida broke away, neither Oljira nor Ayele were able to keep up. Dida pulled away to win in 35:28 ahead of Oljira and Ayele.  

“It was very good race,” Dida said. “The last lap was fast and I had to give everything in me. There was wind holding me up a bit, but I am happy because this specific race is new for me.” 

MOSISA COMFORTABLY DEFENDS JUNIOR TITLE  

Defending champion Tefera Mosisa became the event’s first back-to-back U20 champion. The 18-year old tolerantly stayed in the leading group for much of the race, only to hit the front with just 300 metres remaining. He finished the tight contest in 24:51, just two seconds ahead of world U20 5000m champion Selemon Barega with Solomon Berihun rounding out the medals in third in 24:55.

Oromia Region took the first title in the newly-introduced 8km mixed relay. In the event that attracted the most attention by the spectators at the Jan Meda race course, the athletes lived up to the occasion as the chase for faster individual times was linked to selection for the World Cross Country Championships team.

Federal Prisons team led for three of the race’s four laps, but it was the Oromiya region squad that snatched victory at the finish line.

Elshadai Negash (with assistance from Abiy Wondifraw) for the IAAF  

LEADING RESULTS

Men (10km):
1 Getaneh Tamire Molla 30:57
2 Abadi Hadis 31:01
3 Moges Teumay 31:12
4 Bonsa Dida 31:18
5 Jemal Yimer 31:33
6 Azmeraw Mengiste 31:34

Women (10km):
1 Dera Dida 35:28
2 Belaynesh Oljira 35:37
3 Gebeyanesh Ayele 35:44
4 Zerfe Limenh 35:52
5 Enatnesh Almirew 35:54
6 Sintayehu Lewtegn 35:57

U20 men (8km):
1 Tefera Mosisa 24:51
2 Selemon Barega 24:53
3 Selemon Berihun 24:55
4 Betesfa Getahun 24:56
5 Amdework Walelign 24:58
6 Biyaylegn Teshager 25:07

U20 women (6km):
1 Letesenbet Gidey 21:17
2 Zeyneba Yimer 21:37
3 Hawi Feyisa 21:44
4 Wude Kefale 21:45
5 Foteyn Tesfaye 21:48
6 Brii Abera 21:49

Mixed relay (8km)
1 Oromia Region
2 Federal Prison
3 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
4 Oromia Police
5 Amhara Region

Olympian runners train with amateurs at Ethiopian camp

Athletics village sees world-beating athletes sweating alongside stars of the future

World Bulletin / News Desk

A simple Ethiopian athletics camp which is attracting elite runners from around the world has opened its doors.

Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah is just one of the top-tier competitors using the facilities at Yaya Africa Athletics Village near the rural town of Sululta, 12 kilometers (7 miles) north of the capital Addis Ababa.

The athletics village -- owned by Ethiopian legend and double Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie -- was built five years ago.

Manager Lemmisa Bote said that a long list of internationally renowned runners had come to them for training on its five-hectare site.

Among them was British runner and Olympic champion Mo Farah. Focused on training, Farah -- recently knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II -- declined to be interviewed but his presence revealed the elite-level quality of the training on offer.

“Most of these athletes are coming for one or two months of rigorous training and they seem to like it here,” fitness coach Ayenew Zergaw said. Read more here

Dibaba breaks world record for women's 2,000 on indoor track

FILE- In this Sunday, March 20, 2016 file photo, Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba reacts after she won the women's 3000-meter run final during the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Portland, Ore. Dibaba broke the women's 2,000-meter world record at the indoor Miting International de Catalunya in Spain on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Posted: Feb. 7, 2017 7:00 am Updated: Feb. 7, 2017 5:28 pm

SABADELL, Spain (AP) — Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia broke the women's 2,000-meter world record at the indoor Miting International de Catalunya in Spain on Tuesday.

Dibaba's time of 5:23.75 bettered the world indoor best set by Gabriela Szabo in 1998 by almost seven seconds.

The 2,000 indoors isn't considered an official world record event by the IAAF, but athletics' governing body said in a statement that Dibaba's time can be "classed as an outright world record" since it is faster than Sonia O'Sullivan's outdoor mark of 5:25.36.

At 25 years old, Dibaba owns the outdoor world record in 1,500, as well as the indoor record for 1,500, mile, 2,000, 3,000, two miles and 5,000. Read more here