Eshetu Gemechu Denbel

Age: 19
Ethnic Group: Oromo
Native Language: Oromiffa
Hometown: Bekoji, Ethiopia

Events: 10k, Half-Marathon
Shoe size: 42.7 EU/8 UK/8.5 US
Training Shoes: Neutral Cushion
Tops: Medium
Bottoms: Medium

PB's:
  • 5000m: 15:13 (Asella, February 2008)
  • 10000m: 31:01 (Asella, March 2008)
  • Half-Marathon: 1:02* (Asella, June 2008)
*Unofficial Course

Other Competitions:
Addis Ababa Relay; 3km leg

Family: 2 sisters, one is a student and one works. 7 brothers, two are working and four are students.

School:
Tulu Negasew Primary School Grades 1-6
Bejoki Primary School Grades 7-8
Bekoji High School Grades 9-10

Career goals:
After I finish my athletics I want to coach athletes.

Getting to School:
When I was late for my school I ran, when I was not late I walked with my friend.

Athletics Career:
Since 2003, my mother and brothers encourage and help me to be a good runner, like my brother was a runner before.

What are the main challenges you have faced in your athletics career?

  • Being coached by different coaches.
  • Lack of sport-wear and shoes.

What has inspired you as an athlete?

The motivation I got from my family made me to continue running. My hope and aim is to be a champion. I want to compete in the Olympics.

Excerpt from Co-Director's Blog (20 April, 2009):

All four parents are farmers, as are a large fraction of the Oromea people. They explained that their children face an even greater obligation to their families: to become equal to or better than their fathers, as is the expectation of children born in the Oromea tradition.  These three young runners--Eda’O, Dikinesh, and Eshetu--through the chances Running Across Borders are giving them in athletics, education, and employment, have the chance to equal or better their fathers in a variety of ways. Before leaving I presented a gift of 1kg of coffee to each of the families, who then held a traditional ceremony to bless the coffee, as well as the RAB project and its future success.

The next day, back in Asella with the athletes, I met Sintayo, the Bekoji project coach who has coached Eda’O, Eshetu, and Dikinesh, as he did outstanding Ethiopian runners Geta Wami and Deratu Tulu in the past. I pointed out to Sintayo that, despite the lack of an asphalt road or a tartan track for training, Eshetu won the Arsi Zone Half-Marathon championship and Eda’O ran 30:16 for a 10k in a national competition on the international-standard track at Addis Ababa stadium.  These young runners have great potential.