Hibernia | The Great Ethiopian Run

On November 17, 2024 a group of runners from the US, Ireland and Ethiopia stepped up to the starting line of the Great Ethiopian Run, in that country’s capital, Addis Ababa, known as Africa’s largest road race and recently named ‘the world’s best 10k’ by Runner’s World Magazine. Led by legendary Irish Olympian and former 5,000-meter world record holder Eamon Coghlan, they were there as part of GOAL USA’s Great Ethiopian Run Challenge, a campaign that asked participants to help raise $200,000 to support GOAL’s vital work in Ethiopia and beyond.

The road to Addis Ababa began back in July at IEX world headquarters at 3 World Trade Center in New York City, at a kickoff event hosted by Eamonn Coghlan, GOAL USA Board Chair and IEX founder & COO, Ronan Ryan, along with fellow board member Conor Twomey, Managing Partner of AI One. Avid runners themselves, Ronan and Conor were the first to take up the challenge and they used the event to introduce the more than 120 attendees to GOAL and its mission, and to recruit new team members.

Soon, ten runners would answer the call, reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues to support the effort, while training in earnest for the Great Ethiopian Run course, which covers 10 km (app 6.2 miles) at an altitude above 8,000 feet.

**GOAL Ambassador and Irish running legend Eamonn Coghlan with the boys participating in the organization’s ChildSPACE project.**

The team – which also included GOAL USA Board Member Tony Chambers, Disney’s EVP of Theatrical Distribution, GOAL USA CEO Eamon Sharkey, New York-based executives Mark O’Toole, Alfie Tucker, and Ed Louie. They were joined by fitness and lifestyle coach, founder and content creator, Amie Wiley, who captured the journey every step of the way.

Ethiopia is one of GOAL’s largest, most comprehensive, and longest running country programs, currently staffed by a team of nearly 800, reaching families and communities across 60 districts and eight regions, including Afar, Amhara, Gambela, and Tigray. GOAL’s work there provides critical support in nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) livelihoods, food security, health, and protection—bringing relief to communities facing extreme crises such as drought, conflict, and displacement.

The team landed in Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning, November 13th. Some members opted for a training run that day in the Entoto Mountains above the city, while others rested in preparation for a series of visits to GOAL programs across the country over the following two days. Eamonn Coghlan also arranged a truly special meeting with fellow running legend Haile Gebreselassie, who founded the run in 2001.

**Eamonn Coghlan with good friend and fellow running legend Haile Gebreselassie, the founder of the Great Ethiopian Run.**

The most important and meaningful part of the experience for the team was meeting directly with GOAL staff, partners, and the communities they work with, including a child protection center in Addis Ababa, initiatives focusing on food security and managing acute malnutrition in infants in Harerghe, and comprehensive emergency response activities aiding displaced populations in Gambella and Tigray. They returned to Addis Ababa with added motivation and a commitment to continue to spread awareness and raise funds.

The journey culminated on Sunday with the Great Ethiopian Run, which this year included some 50,000 fellow runners. While it is a competitive race for serious runners, the overwhelming majority of participants are there for the truly singular experience of the day, which is also a raucous celebration of life, community spirit, and Ethiopian pride, with music, dancing and a scenic tour of the vibrant city of Addis Ababa.

Each year, the run also highlights an important social cause – this year’s theme was “For Every Child, Nutrition,” which held special meaning for the team members who witnessed GOAL’s work with malnourished children.

All of the team members, including a contingent from the GOAL Ethiopia team, finished the course in a range of times from competitive to casual, reuniting at the finish in a truly jubilant mood, humbled by the experience, and more committed than ever to support GOAL’s mission.

Plans are underway for GOAL USA’s Great Ethiopian Run 2025 next November, which will also be the events 25th anniversary.

CEO Eamon Sharkey remarked, “We couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful about the Great Ethiopian Run Challenge. When Ronan and Conor charged us with making this happen back in July, we had no idea how it would turn out, but I am confident we’ll surpass our $200,000 goal and we have all the momentum we need to bring back a bigger team and generate even more support next year.”