Friday 13 March: RAB Developmental Athletes Compete in Oromea Region Championships; 3 Men and 1 Woman Qualify For Nationals!
Men's Half-Marathon
3rd: Endila Mekonen Teklib--Anonymous Sponsor 1:05:00*
8th: Eshetu Gemachu Denbel--Guernsey Island Amateur Athletics Club
1:07:02
Eshetu Gemachu and Endila Mekonen were the top two finishers in the Arsi Zone Half-Marathon, both breaking the old course record in that race. Such fast times were not to be had this week in Adema, Oromea, as the hot weather in the valley took its toll on all the athletes. Nevertheless, Endila ran a hard-fought race, finishing 3rd and qualifying for nationals! Eshetu unfortunately struggled more in the heat, finishing 8th. So his season will end here, although an event course-record holder in Ethiopia's most competitive zone should not be overlooked in future competitions! The Guernsey Island Amateur Athletics Club has generously agreed to sponsor this athlete to join the Running Across Borders training camp next month.
Men's 10km
1st: Eda'o Hussen--2L Coaching
30:35:56*
A pack of 4 broke away early in the fast heat of the men's
10km run. Eda'o Hussen wisely sat in back of it, then
took the lead in the critical middle stages and went on to
win. This was the second victory in a row for the young
athlete from Bekoji, who was also the Arsi Zonal
champion in this event. Can this guy be beaten? He will
take on Ethiopia's best at the nationals in Addis next
weekend.
NOTE: We posted on 13 March that Eda'o despite winning races still required an athlete sponsor. No longer! He will be funded to join the Running Across Borders Training Camp next month thanks to 2L Coaching!
Women's 10km
1st: Dunkaane Keba Desso--Girls Gotta Run Foundation; 36:27:89*
The men's 10km race was held first thing in the morning
last week, thus allowing the athletes to have both cool
weather as well as the advantage of the relatively low
1500m altitude of the Adema Valley. The women's 10km
was not. The ladies faced difficult heat. Although wisely
backing off her 34-minute personal record pace, Dunkane
nonetheless showed her competitors that she does not fear
weather just like she does not fear them. She broke away in
the middle of the race and won convincingly in 36:27. Like
Eda'o this was her second victory in a row, but she too
will face stiff competition when she travels to nationals next week. Then in April she will join the training camp thanks to Girls Gotta Run who are vested in her opportunities to go for glory as an international-level distance runner.
Women's 3000m
4th: Seada Nura Bati--Girls Gotta Run Foundation--Time Missed
Seada ran a smart race, positioning herself at the front of a
crowded 3000m heat at the beginning, then going with a
breakaway in the middle. Unfortunately she found herself isolated
in 4th place when the first three ladies made a further move late in
the race. Still a very strong run by this young talent by the young
graduate of Asella Secondary School, who will join the
Running Across Borders Training Camp in April thanks to the
Girls Gotta Run Foundation.
Men's 800m
1. Daniel Alamu--Sponsor Needed 1:55:50*
Men's 1500m
1. Daniel Alamu--Sponsor Needed 3:49:13*
Nobody from Running Across Borders was able to be on-hand for Daniel Alamu's events, but apparently there was not much to report as Oromea's resident middle distance efficianado was dominant as always. He will hopefully face more competition at nationals next weekend than he has in winning the zonal and regional championships!
*Endila, Eda'o, Dunkane, and Daniel all qualifed For National Championships on 20-24 March in Addis Ababa Stadium!
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