Run Across Ethiopia reaches the finish line

Late this morning Ethiopian time (eight hours later than in Michigan), the Run Across Ethiopia reached the rural hamlet of Afursa Waru, which is six miles from the coffee-rich town of Yirgachefe. A joyous, but meticulously planned celebration unfolded among local dignitaries, village elders and perhaps thousands of residents — who greeted the 10 American runners and six Ethiopian harriers who had completed a 250-mile jog over 12 days from Addis Ababa. Here are videos from the happy day.

Seth Bernard kicks off the final day of the Run Across Ethiopia with beautiful music, including Neil Young’s “Long may you run”:

Here are the runners’ opening words before the final day of the run:

A video narrative of today’s final leg of the Run Across Ethiopia:

The Run reaches the finish line, to clapping and cheers from Yirgachefe coffee growers:

Check out the song, dance — and Ethiopian crowd control — that followed our arrival to conclude the Run Across Ethiopia:

Following our arrival in Afursa Waru to conclude the Run Across Ethiopia, our harriers were ceremonially dressed in traditional garb … Hans Voss discusses the significance of this honor.