(June 01, 2011, Addis Ababa)--A VISIT to Addis Ababa to cover a music event stirred journalist Kevin Stevens’ charitable conscious. This November he will compete in his second Great Ethiopian Run, supported by Irish charity Concern.
He spoke to Irish Post reporter Robert Mulhern who’s also preparing to take on the mammoth challenge — a 10 km race 8,000 ft above sea level.
“I’M not as fast as John Treacy but then not many are,” said Kevin Stevens. The journalist is referring to last November’s Great Ethiopian Run — a 10km dash through the streets of Addis Ababa.
He didn’t try to chase down the former Olympian, he was there to support Concern — the Irish charitable organisation responsible for him running alongside 35,000 other participants… all of them dressed in yellow.
“You feel it. It’s like running with ankle weights,” he joked. “But as long as you respect it, it’s fine. You’re not trying to run a record time, just participate and contribute. You get the opportunity to see where the funding is going.”
In the case of the Great Ethiopian it really is a case of taking part and taking in the city. “Addis Ababa is a tough place in the sense that it’s very poor,” he said.
“It’s not the type of place you go to have a luxury holiday, but culturally it’s very impressive. There are no chain stores like there is in other countries — so you have no choice but to experience the culture.”
He spoke to Irish Post reporter Robert Mulhern who’s also preparing to take on the mammoth challenge — a 10 km race 8,000 ft above sea level.
“I’M not as fast as John Treacy but then not many are,” said Kevin Stevens. The journalist is referring to last November’s Great Ethiopian Run — a 10km dash through the streets of Addis Ababa.
He didn’t try to chase down the former Olympian, he was there to support Concern — the Irish charitable organisation responsible for him running alongside 35,000 other participants… all of them dressed in yellow.
Kevin, 56, is originally from Montana in the US, but has been living in Dublin for the last 20 years. He travelled to Addis Ababa last March to cover a music event and was so affected by the poverty that he felt compelled to try and help, in his own small way.
“It’s hard to go there and not be affected by it,” he said. “I was charmed by Ethiopia, charmed by the people and their warmth. I signed up for the run because I wanted to contribute in some way, to try and raise money.
“The run itself is an amazing experience. You go there to appreciate it. The energy and joy which surrounds the run is infectious.
The build up is all music, dancing and chanting — all the things you’d associate with Africa and you’re a part of it.” Being a part of it involves running 10 kilometers through the city, 8,000 feet above sea level.
“It’s hard to go there and not be affected by it,” he said. “I was charmed by Ethiopia, charmed by the people and their warmth. I signed up for the run because I wanted to contribute in some way, to try and raise money.
“The run itself is an amazing experience. You go there to appreciate it. The energy and joy which surrounds the run is infectious.
The build up is all music, dancing and chanting — all the things you’d associate with Africa and you’re a part of it.” Being a part of it involves running 10 kilometers through the city, 8,000 feet above sea level.
“You feel it. It’s like running with ankle weights,” he joked. “But as long as you respect it, it’s fine. You’re not trying to run a record time, just participate and contribute. You get the opportunity to see where the funding is going.”
In the case of the Great Ethiopian it really is a case of taking part and taking in the city. “Addis Ababa is a tough place in the sense that it’s very poor,” he said.
“It’s not the type of place you go to have a luxury holiday, but culturally it’s very impressive. There are no chain stores like there is in other countries — so you have no choice but to experience the culture.”
Source: Irish post.
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