Great Ethiopian Run: Africa's biggest race attracts 44,000 competitors

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Now for a more traditional run where thousands took to the street in the capital of Addis Ababa to take part in the Great Ethiopian Run. The country has a history of producing successful long distance runners, including 2-time Olympic champ Haile Gebrselassie and Rio 2016 marathon runner up Feyisa Lilesa and CGTN's Girum Chala was at the event which aims to keep this tradition intact.

Forty-four thousand participants took the streets of Addis Ababa on Sunday. They were here to compete in the annual Great Ethiopian run.

The event is considered Africa's largest marathon, is a 10km street race featuring both elite and amateur runners.

HAILE GEBRSELASSIE ETHIOPIAN ATHLETICS FEDERATION PRESIDENT "You know the start was fantastic. It is really colorful and beautiful and people here have enjoyed the race. I am so happy today."

AMELEWORK ANCHISO PARTICIPANT "This is my first time to participate here. And I have enjoyed the experience."

AMDE GEMECHU PARTICIPANT "This is super. The unity here is amazing. It is very beautiful."

A 15,000 dollar purse is offered for the professional runners, locals Zeyneba Yimer and Solomon Barega won women's and men's categories respectively.

SOLOMON BAREGA MEN'S RACE WINNER "It was not really easy. Many have participated this year. Now that I have won of all the people who have along side me, I'm so excited."

The race has grown to four times its size since the first edition in 2001.

VIVIAN CHERUIYOT KENYAN ELITE ATHLETE "If you see this, its more like London marathon and other marathons. The organisation that I have seen here is so nice. And it's going to be marathons in London, New York or Chicago."

LORNAH KIPLAGAT DUTCH ELITE ATHLETE "Its just one or two three years , It is already one of the best races in the world. And I think what people like other events like London, like New York, what I like about here is the atmosphere."

GIRUM CHALA ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA From Haile Gebrselassie himself to Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar, many Ethiopian stars have participated in this marathon event at some point in their career. The organisers hope it can continue to inspire many others to take up the sport whether for fun or professionally. Girum Chala,CGTN, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.