Oromia: Bekoji Running Project

February 1, 2014 (Girls Gotta Run) — The Bekoji Running Project is a collaborative effort by Running Across Borders, the Town of Runners, the Bekoji Youth and Sports Administration, and Girls Gotta Run Foundation to expand the economic opportunities of youth in Bekoji through running. Bekoji is a small farming town in the Ethiopian Highlands with an astonishing record of developing long distance runners. Under the direction of Coach Sentayehu, Bekoji has produced some of the world’s greatest distance runners, including Olympic medalists Tirunesh Dibaba, Kenenisa Bekele and Deratu Tulu. Some 250 local young people attend Coach Sentayehu’s dawn training sessions every morning in Bekoji. The Bekoji Running Project provides training and funding for three assistant coaches for Coach Sentayehu and supports the athletic growth of ten young athletes. The Girls Gotta Run Foundation is supporting six female athletes (one of whom is featured in the film “Town of Runners”) and the training and funding of Bekoji’s first-ever female coach.

Fatiya

Early morning in Bekoji

Bekoji’s first female coach: Coach Fatiya is a 24-year-old runner from a nearby town, Shirka. She has been training to become a professional marathon runner,but is also interested in becoming a coach because she wants to assist other female athletes in reaching their goals in running. She has already begun working informally with Coach Sentayehu over the past four months to develop her coaching skills. Each morning she wakes up at 5am to conduct her own marathon training and then works with the 250 young athletes that come to train with Coach Sentayehu. As a young runner herself, she already knows many of the girls who come to train and is able to identify with their struggles and successes. Fatiya looks up to runners like Meseret Defar and is excited to be a mentor for young female runners in Bekoji

“I started running 8 years ago because I wanted to change my life. When I ran, I wanted to be a coach. I want to help develop the best athletes. I feel good about being a female coach, there are no girl coaches here so that makes me feel special.” – Fatiya, age 24.

Six female runners: GGRF is supporting the athletic development of six promising female athletes in Bekoji by providing funds for their living expenses and for travel to important domestic and international races. This support enables the athletes to remain in Bekoji while developing their careers at the highest level through strong coaching and the athletic management of Running Across Borders.The athletes will be able to live at home with their families,continue their education and continue to contribute to the local community. The athletes being supported by GGRF are:

Megertu

Rahima

Magurtu is 18 years old. Her family is from a village near Bekoji. Magurtu has completed her education up until 10th grade. “I started running 8 years ago. I saw runners and was inspired to start running. I want to be a professional runner in the future.” – Magurtu

Rahima Danboba Dubisoo

Rahima is 18 years old. She is from a village near to Bekoji where her family lives and works as farmers. Rahima has completed 10th grade and lives in Bekoji as part of the Bekoji Project. “I started running 4 years ago. I saw athletes in Bekoji and was inspired to start running. I want to be a professional athlete.” – Rahima

Zenash

Misira

Zenash Garedew Senbeta

Zenash is 18 years old and lives in Bekoji. Her family is from a village 3KM away from Bekoji where they are farmers. “I started running 5 years ago. I wished to be a world athlete and started running to make that happen. In the future I hope to be a good runner.” – Zenash

Recent Races:

Hawassa Half Marathon – In May 2013, Zenash placed 22nd in the Hawassa Half Marathon. The Hawassa Half Marathon is a major race in Ethiopia with more than 7,000 participants and roughly 100 runners from overseas. The race takes place in Hawassa, situated 170 miles south of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, at an altitude of 5,577 feet.

Oromiya Zone 10,000m – In April 2013, Zenash placed 5th.

Ambo Half Marathon – In April 2013, Zenash placed 34th.

Arsi Zone Championship 10,000m – In Febuary 2013, Zenash placed 3rd with a time of 38:29:64.

Misira Hussien Dubisu

Misira is 18 years old. She has completed 10th grade and is from a village near to Bekoji where her family are farmers. “I started running 5 years ago. I ran in school and won competitions so I decided to pursue running. I hope to become a good runner like Tirunesh Dibaba.” – Misira

Source: Girls Gotta Run