At the 2022 Grand Ethiopian Run, more than 40,000 runners have reportedly participated in the event held on Sunday morning in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Eritrean athletes were part of the participants who participated in the race as well as other members of the society.

At the launch ceremony of the race, the FDRE President, Sahle-Work Zewde, Minister of Culture and Sports, Kejela Merdasa, and Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie, were present, along with other senior government officials, invited guests, tourists, legendary world athletes.

The founder of the Great Ethiopian Run, Haile Gebrselassie said: “I am so glad to organise such a race here in Addis Ababa. I want to do this kind of thing in Mekelle, I want to do this kind of thing in northern Ethiopia”.

He made this statement in reference to the peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan rebels, expressing hopes that the race could be in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray.

Abe Gashaw was the first athlete to win three titles, adding to his wins in 2016 and 2021. He finished in a time of 28 minutes and 32 seconds. In the women’s race a new race winner emerged, in person of Tigist Ketema, in the final 200m.

Both winners were awarded a cash prize of 150,000 birr, making it the highest prize in the race’s 22-year history.

In 2002, the first edition of the Great Ethiopian Run took place in Ethiopia and was pioneered by the famous Ethiopian long distance runner, Haile Gebresellasie. It is the largest street race in Africa and the sixth in the world.

This 22nd edition was a 10 kilometers running event, which started and ended at Mesqel Square in Addis Ababa.