And they’re off!
At 9:38 a.m. local time (1:38 a.m. in Michigan), the Run Across Ethiopia departed from Addis Ababa to fanfare, words of rally from organizer Timothy Young, and the brief participation of Ethiopian Olympic gold medal winner Million Wolde (5,000 meters, Sydney 2000) as well as a handful of friends, journalists and onlookers. Just before the run, Earthworks musician Seth Bernard offered a spiritual blessing to all involved. Ten American RAE runners and six Ethiopian runners from team TESFA will run approximately 250 miles and arrive in the coffee-rich Yirgachefe region on Jan. 20. Money raised by the Run Across Ethiopia will fund the building of three rural schools in the desperately poor Yirgachefe region.
Here are a few photos from the first hour of the Run Across Ethiopia (videos will follow soon):
The whole gang poses for a photo by the side of the highway.
Ethiopian Olympian Million Wolde joined the run for a few legs.
Stretching before the run.
Empire, Michigan resident Norm Plumstead poses with Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist Million Wolde.
