Great Ethiopian Run

ታላቁ የኢትዮጵያ ሩጫ

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Sports & AdventureAddis Ababa
Dates22 November 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdSmallAbout 45,000 people
Best forCompetition, enduranceRacing at roughly 2, 400 metres of altitude
LanguageAmharic and regional languagesCurrency: ETB
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa

Founded in 2001 by Haile Gebrselassie shortly after his second Olympic 10,000 metres title, the Great Ethiopian Run is Africa's largest road race, drawing more than 45,000 participants through Addis Ababa each November. Its competitive field, run at roughly 2,400 metres of altitude, includes a dedicated women-only 5 kilometre race alongside the main 10 kilometre event.

Haile Gebrselassie, fresh off his second consecutive Olympic 10,000 metres title in Sydney, co-founded a new road race with Peter Middlebrook and Abi Masefield in late 2000, and the Great Ethiopian Run's first edition the following year sold out its ten thousand entries so quickly that unofficial runners joined the course without a race number.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Racing at roughly 2,400 metres of altitude, unusual for a major international road race, is a specific, physically significant feature that slows times relative to sea-level courses yet has not stopped the race from becoming one of Africa's largest road running events by participation

02

The mystery stays covered

Its near-unbroken run of Ethiopian winners across every edition since 2001 is also a documented, quantifiable reflection of the sheer depth of domestic distance-running talent rather than a closed or regional-only field

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The dedicated women-only 5 kilometre race held alongside the main event and the race's near-unbroken history of Ethiopian winners since its 2001 founding are specific

Water and renewal

Living ritual

well-documented

The sacred route

Living ritual

defining features of the Great Ethiopian Run

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

22 November 2026

Getting around

Plan arrival around the route or course in Addis Ababa; closures can make normal travel slower.

What to wear

Layered running gear suited to a cool November morning in Addis Ababa's highland climate, warming through the morning as the sun rises; many recreational participants wear costumes or club...

Safety

At Great Ethiopian Run, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Addis Ababa, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

ETB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map9.02 N, 38.75 EOpen in Google Maps

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Nearest airportADD — Addis Ababa Bole
TransportPlan arrival around the route or course in Addis Ababa; closures can make normal travel slower.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Addis Ababa, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Addis Ababa via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Addis Ababa, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearLayered running gear suited to a cool November morning in Addis Ababa's highland climate, warming through the morning as the sun rises; many recreational participants wear costumes or club colours rather than serious racing kit.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Ethiopia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Great Ethiopian Run?

Great Ethiopian Run is listed for 22 November 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Great Ethiopian Run take place?

The festival is listed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

How big is it?

Small: 45000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLgoalus.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates22 November 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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