The Great Ethiopian Run, Africa’s largest mass-participation road race, has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic plan to become the largest 10-kilometre event in the world by 2030.
The initiative leverages Ethiopia’s rich distance-running legacy and the event’s growing global profile. Organizers are targeting record-breaking field sizes, expanded youth programming, updated timing technology and an increased international presence.
The 2026 Great Ethiopian Run International 10K, scheduled for Nov. 22 in Addis Ababa, is set to host a record 60,000 participants.
Youth programming is also scaling up, with 5,000 primary school children expected to participate in the kids’ races, while 3,000 complimentary entries have been set aside for graduating high school students to foster youth engagement.
“Today marks a new chapter in our journey as we aim to increase the impact of our flagship race in terms of youth opportunity, sport tourism and local enterprise,” said Dagmawit Amare, managing director of the Great Ethiopian Run. “We are excited by the new possibilities opening up through our partnership with Bank of America and the continued support of our longstanding partners.”
Targeting the title of the world’s largest 10K puts the event in rare company alongside global mega-races looking to push the boundaries of mass-participation road running.
Founded in 2001 by distance legend Haile Gebrselassie, among others, the organization has staged more than 250 races across the country, serving as a platform to highlight Ethiopia’s legendary distance-running culture.
The 2026 edition will feature several technological upgrades, including the introduction of electronic chip timing for a select section of the field—a first in the event’s history—as well as streamlined digital registration via the Telebirr platform.
Bank of America partnership
Organizers have secured a partnership with the Bank of America.
The partnership extends to the Women’s First 5km, held annually around International Women’s Day, where Bank of America will become the Presenting Partner.
Managing Director Dagmawit Amare said the organization’s long-term ambition extends beyond participation numbers.
“Today marks a new chapter in our journey as we aim to increase the impact of our flagship race in terms of youth opportunity, sport tourism and local enterprise. We are excited by the new possibilities opening up through our partnership with Bank of America and the continued support of our longstanding partners.”
As part of its modernization strategy, the 2026 edition will introduce chip timing for a section of participants for the first time in the event’s history, alongside expanded digital registration through the Telebirr platform.
Organizers also announced an expansion of the annual Run For A Cause fundraising programme through the GivenGain online platform, enabling participants to raise funds directly for three Ethiopian beneficiary organizations.
The announcement reflects broader trends in the commercial development of African sport, with international corporations increasingly investing in events that combine community participation, youth development, tourism promotion and social impact.
Since its establishment in 2001, Great Ethiopian Run has organized more than 250 races across Ethiopia and has become one of Africa’s most recognizable sporting events, attracting participants from Ethiopia and around the world while showcasing the country’s global reputation in distance running.
The 2026 race will be held under the theme “My Run, My Colour,” highlighting both individual identity and the diversity of participants who gather annually in Addis Ababa.
In addition to Bank of America, this year’s partners include UNICEF, Ethio Telecom, Ethiopian Airlines, the Ministry of Tourism, Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa and several Ethiopian private-sector companies.
