The Great Ethiopian Run (Sunday November 22nd 2009)

It's job done, but boy what a struggle!

Amazing experience - a sea of 33,000 green t-shirts pounding the streets of Addis Ababa, cheered on by thousands of supporters in the blazing sunshine of Sunday morning.

For those who have parted with your hard earned cash - THANK YOU!

I can assure you it was hard work too.

There was no free water and naturally I didn't run with my wallet so I did the whole 10k desperate for some fluids. No wonder Ethiopian atheletes are so tough!

It was also the hilliest course I think I have run - 70% uphill, 20% downhill (which can be equally hard on the knees).

Dodging around the many walkers and people jumping in and out of the race made it difficult to keep up a fast pace (that's like a gentle trot for me) but I can assure you I ran the whole 10K!!! If I am raising money then I'm going to give you sponsors 100%.

So I finished in 1 hour and about 5 or 6 minutes. We didn't get chipped or issued with race numbers so no official time. Usually I run about 50-55 mins for a 10K but given the hills, the heat, the volume of runners and lack of water I am not ashamed.

It seems I was probably the first home of the 10-15 VSO runners but it was not a competition.

So I've done my bit. Sara cheered the runners until she was blue in the face - which seemed to amuse the Ethiopian supporters. I guess we are a bit more vocal than the usual Ferengi in Addis :)

Sara's sister Jan and husband Al were also lending support from outside the Jupiter hotel in Kasanchies.

Please give if you can!

Yes we have thoroughly enjoyed our VSO experiencebut we both feel we have done some good - albeit in a small way - for Ethiopia and the Ethiopians we have worked with, and VSO do recruit some amazing people who do great things to help fight poverty.

To see more pictures from the event please check our blog -

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Al-and-Sara/

Many thanks again from Al & Sara!

UPDATE! - thanks to Jan & Ken, Don & Barb Owen, Bill Patten & Brian Mercer for their cheques! Much appreciated

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At the begining of 2007 we decided to embark on a new adventure and applied to become volunteers with VSO. In September we were offered placements in Ethiopia and arrived in a small town in western Ethiopia called Assosa on the 15th February 2008.

We strongly believe in the principles behind VSO and now have first hand experience of the excellent work that VSO does in developing countries all over the world and what the money raised helps to support. We really appreciate any contribution you are able to make!