Marathon record holder Chepng'etich to grace Great Ethiopian Run
Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya celebrates after finishing first in the women’s race, setting a new world record at 2:09:56 during the Chicago Marathon at Grant Park on October 13, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Tanui and Gebrselassie share a storied history that dates back to the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. In the 10,000m final, then-defending champion Tanui lost to Haile, who was making the leap from junior success to senior glory.
- In a dramatic turn, Haile accidentally stepped on Tanui’s shoe, prompting Tanui to kick it off and surge ahead, only to be narrowly defeated by Haile. The two have since become close friends, now united in their efforts to uplift African athletics and nurture emerging talent.
Women’s marathon record holder, Ruth Chepng'etich of Kenya, is set to grace the 24th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run 10km road race in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday.
The annual race, recognised as a World Athletics Label Road Race, has consistently invited Kenyans to compete and serve as guests, fostering stronger ties between Kenya and Ethiopia. This year, more than 50,000 participants have registered, underscoring the event's prominence.
For decades, Kenya and Ethiopia have engaged in fierce but friendly competition in long-distance running, with athletes from both nations dominating global races.
Chepng'etich, fresh off her world-record-breaking victory at the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 57 seconds on October 13, expressed her excitement about visiting Addis Ababa for the first time.
“It is my first time visiting Ethiopia, and I’m excited to meet some of the athletes whom we have been battling it out with in various events. I will also be glad to meet Haile Gebrselassie, who has been an inspiration to many in the running career,” said Chepngetich.
Chepng'etich is also expected to meet Tigst Assefa, who set a new world record last year at the Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:11:53, breaking Brigid Kosgei’s previous mark of 2:14:04. This gathering of elite runners highlights the camaraderie and mutual respect between Kenya and Ethiopia’s athletes.
Joining Chepng'etich in Ethiopia is two-time Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui, who also serves as the Eldoret City Marathon director.
Tanui is visiting for the second time under an agreement between the two races: winners of the Eldoret City Marathon are invited to compete in Ethiopia, while victors of the Bokoji 10km road race under the Great Ethiopian Run are invited to Eldoret. This year, three-time Eldoret City Marathon champion Victor Kipchirchir and runner-up Martha Akeno will test their mettle on the streets of Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian athletics legend Gebrselassie, the visionary behind the race, has long emphasised the importance of Kenya and Ethiopia collaborating to foster unity and promote sports tourism.
“There is a need to support upcoming athletes who have nowhere to run because the African races act as launching pads for international assignments. Partnering with the Great Ethiopian Run is what will improve sports between the two countries, and we are doing this for the younger generation,” said Tanui.
Tanui and Gebrselassie share a storied history that dates back to the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. In the 10,000m final, then-defending champion Tanui lost to Haile, who was making the leap from junior success to senior glory.
In a dramatic turn, Haile accidentally stepped on Tanui’s shoe, prompting Tanui to kick it off and surge ahead, only to be narrowly defeated by Haile. The two have since become close friends, now united in their efforts to uplift African athletics and nurture emerging talent.
