Derartu Tulu at Torino Marathon (© IAAF)
Sixteen year old runner Konjit Tilahun won the inaugural Women’s First, the first ever all-women’s 5km road race to be held in Ethiopia (16 May).
This mass participation event promoted by the organisers of Great Ethiopian Run attracted a turnout of approximately 50,000 women runners, most of who took to the course to check their fitness and to help promote information about HIV/AIDS protection, family planning, and women's empowerment.
Elite support
With the country’s elite athletes opting not to take part in the race due to racing commitments overseas and training, the race looked to devoid of big name attractions.
However, World 10,000m champion Berhane Adere and
Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Gete Wami were in attendance as guests of honour to kick start what was to be a thrilling encounter between the country’s youthful distance running hopefuls.
"If we work hard we can reach the top"
As the hot sunshine and altitude started to take effect, walkers, joggers, and fun runners gave way to the more “serious” and competing athletes. By the end of the second kilometre, a leading pack of five athletes threatened broke away opening up a 10m lead.
With a kilometre left to run, it took a brave comeback from Konjit Tilahun to cut a 20m gap and force her way into a two-way tussle with leader Mihret Anamo. The duo took their battle to the finish line where Tilahun edged out her opponent finishing in a respectable 16:51.49. Anamo came in second place with Koreni Jelila occupying the other position on the medal podium.
After the race, Tilahun confirmed her main aim in running
and winning the race was to pass on an important message. “I was trailing ten Athletes in the first three kilometres, but I knew that I had to claw my way back,” she said. “I wanted to prove that women are no less than men and that if we work hard, we can reach the top.”
Tulu's legacy
Derartu Tulu’s legacy lives on. Women's distance running has taken on a different role since Tulu became the first African woman to win Olympic Gold in the 10,000m final in Barcelona almost twelve years ago.
Since then, Gete Wami (10,000m; 1999), Tirunesh Dibaba (5000m; 2003), and Berhane Adere (10,000m; 2003) have won World Championship titles, while Fatuma Roba won the Olympic Marathon in Atlanta 96, and Tulu again took the Olympic 10,000m gold in 2000 and the World 10,000m title in 2001
Tulu was much involved in the publicity for the race inviting women like herself to run in a smartly-prepared commercial on National Television. Although she was not present at the race today due to racing commitments in Athens, Greece, her influence was much felt the whole morning.
“Derartu [Tulu] has transformed Ethiopian women from the kitchen to the office,” said a student at a Nursing college in Addis Ababa.
Tulu started running when wearing running shorts was considered a taboo in many parts of Ethiopia. Now millions of girls practice running in schools and institutions all over the country - some in hope of becoming the next Tulu, while other just to keep fit and healthy.
More than a running event
Women’s First was also more than a running event for some Athletes.
“Going out like this and running shows that women, if motivated, are capable of achieving anything,” says Sosina, an Information Systems student at the Addis Ababa University. She run along with ten of her classmates, who believe that taking part has allowed them to experience new feelings. “I feel that I added another year in my life,” says her friend Abriha. “Now we
know that we are healthy.”
For health, fitness, or social messages, Women’s First proved to be success in bringing together Ethiopian women from all walks of life to the sport that continuously proves Ethiopia’s only way of changing its blurred image as a country that is all about war, poverty, and starvation.
Ethiopian women have had to take multiple roles in society as mothers, sisters, and even supporters of their family, which they have carried on for generations. Now they are ready and willing to go out on the road and prove themselves as hopes for the future in Athletics!
Elshadai Negash for the IAAF
Women’s First- Official Results
1. Konjit Tilahun 16:51.49
2. Mihret Anamo 16:52.85
3. Koreni Jelila 17:00.66
4. Meron Negassa 17:21.18
5. Azebshewa Amare 17:24.87
6. Gishu Mindaye 17:38.40
7. Tiki Gelana 17:41.94
8. Meselu Gelana 17:44.18
9. Emebet Eta’a 17:45.35
10. Meseret Gebeyehu 17:52.54
