Smart Running Revolution: Personalized Plans for Athletes [9873]

I am Codoon, an intelligent social platform for internet sports, signing KOL (Key Opinion Leader) Yang Yi, with the Codoon nickname: Xiao Qi Guan. I am honored to be invited by Ethiopian Airlines Group to join the delegation and participate in the 10km 'Great Ethiopian Run' event, experiencing the cultural journey of Ethiopia.

What is the Great Ethiopian Run?Ethiopia is the hometown of world-renowned long-distance running champions and the cradle of many Olympic champions. The annual 'Great Ethiopian Run' attracts thousands of runners and tourists from around the world. The event was initiated by the famous 'Emperor of Long-Distance Running,' Haile Gebrselassie. The race aims to promote the exchange of sports, tourism, and cultural industries between China and Ethiopia through running.

This is a spontaneous running trip. We set off three days after receiving the invitation. After browsing the itinerary and event introduction, my heart had already flown to the vast African continent. I imagined running with the locals in the hometown of long-distance champions and attending the welcome dinner hosted by 'Emperor of Long-Distance Running' Haile Gebrselassie. I couldn't contain my excitement. The visa process was quick; I received the electronic visa in my email three minutes after submitting the application online.

Departing from Chengdu, I took a direct flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa. The 9-hour flight didn't make me feel tired. Besides enjoying two in-flight meals and watching a Hollywood movie, I also had a good sleep. Upon arrival, I felt a sense of familiarity seeing the Chinese service counter at the airport. Many Chinese people visit Ethiopia, and the staff at the counter assist Chinese visitors from different cities daily, answering questions and solving problems.

Ethiopia is known as the 'Roof of Africa,' and its capital, Addis Ababa, is situated in a valley on the central plateau at an altitude of 2400 meters, making it the highest city in Africa. The 'Great Ethiopian Run' will be held here. Besides adapting to the altitude, we also have to adjust to a 5-hour time difference. The race starts at 9 AM, which is 4 AM in China. However, the purpose of this trip is to experience and celebrate, without any pressure to compete.

After two days of exploring the local scenery in Ethiopia, I had basically adapted to the environment. I went for a 5km slow run with my friends in the evening. The sunset and clouds painted a dreamy picture with macaron gradient colors.

The day before the race, I attended the athlete's welcome dinner hosted by Haile Gebrselassie. Participants from different countries gathered here. Haile initiated the 'Great Ethiopian Run' to unite more people to run for love. Since the first event in 2001, Haile has promised to donate all the proceeds from the race to Ethiopian charity projects to help women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Therefore, the annual 'Great Ethiopian Run' is also a grand charity event, with various international charity organizations raising funds for public welfare projects during the race. Every participant is helping Ethiopians strive for a better life through running.

As per international convention, we took pre-race photos. This year's 'Great Ethiopian Run' was different from previous ones; there were no bib numbers, and no baggage storage area was set up at the venue. So, I planned to carry my race bag and run while having fun.

On race day, after breakfast, I headed to the starting point with my friends from the delegation. The streets of Addis Ababa were filled with people in race attire, walking and chatting excitedly in the same direction. The sky was clear and bright, as if all impurities had been filtered out. The participants' outfits featured common color elements: green, yellow, and red, which are the colors of the Ethiopian flag. Green represents fertile land, mild climate, and abundant plant resources, symbolizing hope for the future; yellow represents peace and love, as well as the people's determination to build the nation; red symbolizes the readiness of the people to shed blood to defend their country.

As the race was about to start, the crowd surged, and runners began various self-entertainment activities. They gathered in layers, rhythmically warming up, and some even started dancing to the beat. A cute Ethiopian girl with colorful braids and a shy little boy wearing a pink Hello Kitty hat left a deep impression on me. The boy shyly asked to take a photo with me and requested that I email it to him. Ethiopians are very friendly to Chinese people, greeting us politely with smiles, and some even saying 'ni hao' in Chinese.

The national anthem played, and the race began with thousands of voices singing in unison. Running in the crowd, I felt the exhilarating power of unity. After running nearly 2km, everyone around me suddenly started chanting slogans in Ethiopian with a rhythmic pace, even synchronizing their arm movements. Although I didn't understand what they were saying, I was deeply moved by the atmosphere, comparable to New Zealand's 'HAKA' Maori war dance.

Besides their long-distance running genes, Africans also showcased their dancing talents on the race track! At the 'music cheer station,' volunteers in colorful outfits danced to the rhythm, and some runners stopped to dance with them. According to locals, almost every Ethiopian can dance, as long as there is music.

Having participated in many marathons, this was the first time I saw such 'cooling sprays'.

Wheelchair runners on the track~

Although the race distance was only 10km, the elevation changes were quite significant. In the last two kilometers, there were few runners left; most people walked to the aid stations for water, danced, and then slowly resumed running. On the way, I encountered Jamaican musicians invited by the organizing committee, performing live DJ sets, impromptu rap, and enjoying beer. The joyful atmosphere had infected everyone on the track.

Crossing the finish line, I received a finisher's medal with a green ribbon. The medal featured a prominent coffee pot, symbolizing Ethiopia as the earliest country to cultivate coffee and maintain the oldest coffee culture. Perhaps everyone hadn't had enough of the run, as many lingered at the finish line. I hope to participate in the half marathon series of the 'Great Ethiopian Run' in the future.

Many people associate Ethiopia with hunger, poverty, and war. Before participating in the 'Great Ethiopian Run,' I also thought this way. The outside world often presents Ethiopia with images of poverty and backwardness, overlooking the passionate, enthusiastic, and positive nature of its people. During the run, I was moved by their enthusiasm. Only those who truly love life can radiate happiness from within.