Ethiopia’s Sena Gemechu and Rahel Embibel captured the men’s and women’s titles Sunday at the Ethio Telecom Great Ethiopian Run Harar. This was the sixth and final event in the 2018 Ethiopian Calendar Discover Ethiopia Classics road running series.
The 10-kilometre course wound through the historic walled city of Harar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its centuries-old architecture and cultural significance.
Gemechu stopped the clock in 32:04.77 to take the men’s race ahead of Mihret Awoke, while Ibrahim Mohammed completed the podium.
Embibel won the women’s race in 41:43.23. Amran Shimuz finished second and Aziza Mukhtar placed third.
The Harar race brought the Discover Ethiopia Classics circuit to a close after stops in Debre Berhan, Hawassa, Jimma, Bekoji, Arba Minch and Harar.
One of the series’ defining features is its unique finisher medal. Rather than receiving the same medal at each race, participants collected a puzzle-shaped section representing part of Ethiopia. Those who completed all six races assembled a full map of the country from the individual medals.
Forty-three runners completed the entire circuit, earning the commemorative six-piece medal.
The series also included a traveller competition for participants who followed the complete circuit. Yohannes Ayelign won the men’s category, while Ribka Girma claimed the women’s title.
Grassroots participation remained a cornerstone of the event. Youth races included a 1.5-kilometre competition for athletes under 16 and a one-kilometre event for children under 11, continuing the Great Ethiopian Run’s long-standing commitment to developing the sport at the community level.
Athletes from Ethiopia and nine other countries took part in the Harar event, reflecting the growing international appeal of the Discover Ethiopia Classics series, which combines competitive road racing with opportunities to experience Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes, history and culture.
The event was organized by Great Ethiopian Run with title sponsor Ethio Telecom and support from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Tourism, Dashen Bank, Pepsi, Fab Soap, Top Water, Afran Hospital, Channel 1 Television and the Harari Tourism Commission.
