Back in Yirgalem in the deep south of Ethiopia this week is Mick Bourke, founder of the Stride Ethiopia charity, of which I am proud to be a trustee.
While there, Mick will supervise the work of the three coaches and hopefully manage to create a six-lane dirt track to allow the youngsters to train in a more formal way. That is possible thanks to two generous donations. Last year, Jim Fanning, an ex-Irish long jumper, helped build a long jump pit in a two-week visit and he’s going back out in a few days time.
First big outing for the club is the Great Ethiopian Run 10k in Addis Ababa on November 26, with 30 members of the club travelling (they may well meet Sonia O’Sullivan, who is rumoured to be running). All will be resplendant in their new singlets passed on to Stride Ethiopia by the now defunct Portmarnock and Malahide Athletic Club. They will also be wearing shoes donated by the DSD coach Eddie McDonagh from the shop he used to run.
For more info and lots of pics, see www.strideethiopia.com.
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