Ethiopia '15 Part 1 - 48 hours in Addis Ababa

I had the the opportunity to join the Vivibarefoot/Soul of Africa team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in November 2015. Soul of Africa is an incredible social enteprise. More information can be viewed on www.soulofafrica.com. The purpose of the visit was threefold – to get to know the Vivobarefoot team (Lucy Stewart and Jack Cannon); to visit the non profit organisations that Vivobarefoot/Clarks/Soul of Africa support in Addis and to participate in the 10km Great Ethopian Run (GER).

We had a remarkable 48 hours.

On the day we arrived (myself at 01h00 Lucy and Jack at 06h00 on the 21st of November) we registered for the GER at the Hilton Hotel; went to watch the Destino Dance Company (www.facebook.com/destinodance/?fref=ts) give a dance class at their studio at the Galani Coffee Shop; visited Brave Heart Organisation centre to meet the team and children and went out to dinner with Koni, the manager of Brave Hearts. We were made to feel so welcome – great Ethiopian hospitality is definitely a reality! 

Visiting Brave Hearts (Photo: Lucy Stewart)

On Sunday 22nd of November the  the taxi arrived early to take us to the start of the GER – the Brave Hearts team had already been collected. It was a highlight to drive to the start together. It is incredible what an equaliser a sporting event can be. Once you are all wearing the same t-shirts and feeling the same nerves and excitement so many barriers and differences just disintegrate. Being a part of this team was a real privilege.

At the start with the Brave Heart runners

The team that started the GER in 2001 included Haile Gebrselassie. The aim of the run is to create an opportunity for showcasing the best of Ethiopia's vast up-and-coming running talent. Apart from the elite racing aspect of the race, it has also become a huge event with literally thousands of “fun run” participants. 10 000 participants took place in the inaugural run in 2001. By 2010 there were 35 000 participants. On the 22nd of November 2015 there were between 38 000 and 40 000 participants.

​The atmosphere at the start of the race was electric. My heart rate neared its usual “cardio level” just standing at the start absorbing the atmosphere and trying to take it all in – the vuvuzelas, Haile masks, modified race t-shirts, painted faces, and people, so many people! Once the race started the green and yellow mass of runners literally flowed down the street. Chanting, bouncing, dancing, happy people! What a rush.

This is not an event for a PB. In fact, due to the huge number of participants it is more a walk than a run. The relatively high altitude of 2 300m also ensures a slower than expected time. To try to race this event would be to miss the point. Each km is indicated by different bands/DJ stands instead of the usual km markers. This requires stopping to dance and enjoy the vibe and chat to other runners. The race is about the carnival atmosphere, the smiling faces and being part of a celebration of the love and talent that Ethiopians have for running.
 
Meeting up with the Brave Hearts and Destino teams at the end of the run was a perfect end to the event – it is about community and we really did feel part of the Addis community even if we had only been there for 36 hours!

We spent the afternoon of the race visiting the Selamta Family Project. This is another hugely inspirational organisation. More information can be viewed on www.selamtafamilyproject.org. We spent the afternoon at one of the family homes chatting to the children, watching TV (including the race highlights) and drinking the most incredible freshly roasted coffee.

It was a great opportunity to experience Addis with the Brave Hearts, Destino and Selamta communities but also to connect with Lucy and Jack – 48 hours like that can truly cement friendships!

Our Selamta host family brewing fresh coffee. It took more than an hour to wash, roast and grind the beans but was well worth the wait. Possible the best cup of coffee ever. 

Jack sampling the freshly brewed coffee. ​

Photography and IT fun at Selamta