We left Bokoji at 6.am, passing through Lemu, birth place of Elfinish Alemu, wife of Gezahegn Aberbera - two-time marathon winner - and Fatuma Roba, winner of the 1996 Olympic marathon in Atlanta. In Bekoji, we had breakfast at Fatuma's hotel, dubbed Atlanta, and afterwards proceeded to Kofale, Kayona, and Shashameenee (home of Rastarfarians), then onto Awassa. The last 10K was run by the whole group of runners to the Annala stadium in Awassa. There we were welcomed by Abebe Hegessa, representing Sport for All. We also had a ceremonial run with the Torch around the Stadium.

So the Run is over. We ourselves ran some, but struggled with the altitude - sometimes over 3000m - and so it was a great boon to have the Ethiopian runners. They seemed always keen and made the hills look easy. They contributed greatly. Most Ethiopians, and particularly the villagers, seem very kind people. They were very hospitable to us. About Awassa, it is a much bigger city, under reconstruction, but with major facilities including internet in place. All in all we had a beautiful run and the manifestation was a huge success in Ethiopia. It was made so perhaps by the spirit of the Ethiopian runners with us, who were always singing, chanting, clapping and running fast!! Along the way, we encountered dry land, mountains and gorges, women on donkeys and horses, and rickshaw type carts pulled by horses. In the village we saw many straw and mud huts, elders and peasants in traditional dress. Also monkeys and lots of cattle on various farms.

To conclude, some additional things we did were to visit the home of the Rastafarians in Shashameme. We saw their land and had a talk with their Elder who has been there for over forty years! We also visited YESSERA - Young Ethiopians Self-Sufficiency Re-education Association - where the organization was officially given a parcel of land to be used as training facilities for their students. We also took leisure time-off to visit a lake with lots of rare species of birds, and also bathed at the natural hot springs outside of Awassa.

We arrived in Addis Ababa at 5.30 pm., on the 01/12/05. There a closing

ceremony was held with Mrs Haregwa Zeleke and school children with their school teachers representing Sport for All.

Manatita

For the last two days I have had as my running partner a young athlete with incredible potential, Dereje Hailegiyorgis. Dereje is on the Jr. National Team of Ethiopia – that means he’s really fast. Dereje has had considerable compassion on me for my relative snail’s pace. He runs slow enough that I can keep up, but no slower; I still have to work hard. He has run in front of me, mostly, which I like because following someone faster than me helps me to run faster. Today Derege took a new tactic; he made a point of running beside me. For the first few hundred meters we held the torch together. Then sensing that the pace would be more challenging at this altitude than I had initially thought, I let go and focused on keeping up. Dereje had mercy on me though. When I slowed down he slowed down and stayed right beside me. When he sensed that I had my wind back he gently nudged me forward to pick the pace up again. As we approached the support bus parked on the side of the road, Derege took a lead of a few steps and gently, even casually (at this pace!), reached his hand backward to take mine. As I reached forward to take his hand for the final kick I received some of his power and stamina, and with new determination I was able to push through the pain to finish at a strong pace. This was a beautiful lesson for me. There is always someone with more capacity than you have and there is always someone with less. If we are to be a global family this must be acknowledged. Just as in a nuclear family, if there is to be Harmony in the family there must be a mutual reaching out to serve and share what we have.

I mentioned yesterday the challenge of bringing this message to these people. The people themselves are keen on seeing the manifestation of what the World Harmony Run symbolizes. They face the significant challenges of poverty and “distance” from the rest of the world. Because of this, the bringing of a message must also, we feel, come with a commitment. To run through with a torch is a start for what can be a long-term relationship where those with more capacity in one area reach out to those who struggle and fall behind. And this challenge the World Harmony Run Team in Ethiopia takes seriously. We shall see where it leads us.

I would like to close by acknowledging the Ethiopian people who gave so much to this effort by planning, supporting and running:

Solomon Retta worked tirelessly in all stages of the planning and execution of the World Harmony Run in Ethiopia.

Haregwa Zeleke and Teferi from Sport for All did an incredible amount of work to organize the various groups of runners throughout our journey.

Ato Getahun, Department Head at Sport For All under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, made Sport For All instrumental in making the World Harmony Run happen in Ethiopia.

Fasil, Abebu and Selamawit Solomon, the children of Solomon Retta, were all enthusiasm and gave freely of their abilities and ideas.

Coach Negusu Adere, whom we met at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, opened many doors for us and introduced us to many elite runners and groups.

Dereje Hailegiyorgis and Daniel Kebolo ran with us the entire way from Addis to Awassa.

We are most honored and grateful to have spent even a moment with the following runners who accompanied us for portions of the Run: Meazal, Berhanu Girma, Kedir Yimer, Ayelew Ahmed, Roba Gari, Gosaa Xaafaa, Tadesse Betcha, Bekele Getachew, Eshetu Gemechu, Dereje Abdi.

There are many others whom I have missed as so many have participated. We look forward to working with these and other people next time the World Harmony Run comes to Ethiopia.

~Jeromy