​​​REASONS  ALL CHILDREN ENDURE

The Ethiopian Herald

13. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

An ambitious art scene heads
toward the international stage.

Building on a strong historical legacy (Addis boasts one of East Africa’s oldest art schools) are a host of events scheduled for 2014: a photography festival, two film festivals and a jazz and world music festival. Thanks to the city’s diverse art  institutions and galleries, including the artist-in-residence village Zoma Contemporary Art Center and the Asni Gallery (really more an art collective than a gallery), there is an art opening at least once a week. Even the local Sheraton puts on  “Art of Ethiopia,” an annual show of new talent. But it’s the National Museum that, in May and June, will host this year’s  blockbuster exhibit, “Ras Tafari: The Majesty and the Movement,” devoted to Emperor Haile Selassie I and Rastafarianism. - GISELA WILLIAMS

52 Places to Go in 2014

Witness a city in transformation, glimpse exotic animals,  explore the past and enjoy that beach before the crowds. 

The Zoma Contemporary Art Center. Michel Temteme for The New York Times

that the inaugural Ethiopian Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K Fun Run/Walk, will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on June 8, 2014.

This race will be the first of its kind in Addis Ababa and will be one of the highest altitude road races in the world, starting at 8,512 feet (2,594.5 meters) and peaking at 9,300 feet (2834 meters) for the marathon and half-marathon. More than just a race, this event will also give participants a chance to truly experience Ethiopia, its people, and culture. The full travel package includes: round-trip airline flights, seven (7) nights in a luxury hotel, a city tour of Addis Ababa and the race course, pre-race dinner, race entry, and a post-race banquet. In addition, Kenenisa Bekele will host all race participants for a visit to his high-altitude training camp. Land-package only and race-only options are also available. No matter which package a participant chooses, they will be treated to an unforgettable race experience. 
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The point-to-point marathon and half-marathon course will begin in the town of Chancho, where runners will pass through authentic native farmland and cruising past the En Toto mountain range on their way to the course’s highest point at 18 mile mark. From there, marathoners and half-marathoners will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Addis Ababa before descending into the city for a fast run down the city’s main boulevard, viewing monuments and historic sites, to unforgettable finish in Meskel Square. The race will feature all the amenities of a major running event, including chip timing, aid stations every 5K, baggage checking and transport, finisher medals and participant T-shirts. The marathon time limit is 8 hours, the half-marathon time limit is 6 hours, and the 5k fun run/walk limit is 2 hours. 

For more information, contact Race4Ever executive director Bereket Woldu at (202) 441-5456 (bwoldu@race4ever.org) or race director Jeff Horowitz at (202) 957-4811(Jeffrey.Horowitz@msn.com), or visit www.race4ever.org.​

Press Releases

January 6, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A WASHINGTON-BASED ETHIOPIAN BUSINESSMAN TEAMS UP WITH OLYMPIC CHAMPION KENENISA BEKELE AND OTHER ELITE ATHLETES TO LAUNCH THE FIRST ANNUAL MARATHON IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA,  BENEFITTING  HIV-POSITIVE AND POVERTY-STRICKEN ETHIOPIAN CHILDREN.

The non-profit foundation, Race4Ever, founded by a Washington, DC based Ethiopian businessman, teamed with elite distance runners and other prominent local business individuals, including Olympic and world 5K and 10K record holder, Kenenisa Bekele, announced 

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