Celebrating Women’s Achievement in Ethiopia 2021 SOFI MALT WOMEN FIRST 5km

The WOMEN FIRST 5km, the annual women’s-only 5km run staged by Great Ethiopian Run plc, is launching registration for the 18th edition of the race on Monday March 1.
Started in 2004, the 18th edition of the race comes under a new title sponsor of Sofi Malt and will take place on Sunday 28th March at its usual start/finish venue at Atlas Hotel.
In consideration of social distancing regulations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic participant numbers have been reduced to just 2,000. In addition to the fun runners, 150 elite athletes will compete for the cash prizes including athletes from Kenya; Uganda and Eritrea.
The official launch of registration takes place at the Aselefech Merga Hotel. Aselefech a three-time
winner of the Dubai Marathon, is also a two-time winner of the WOMEN FIRST 5km. The launch event was attended by other sponsors and race partners from Sofi Malt, Enat Bank; Irish Aid; Hyatt Regency; Fana Broadcasting Corporation; Arki Water and Washington Medical Center.
Expressing her delight at the opportunity to go ahead with plans for the race, Dagmawit Amare, Strategic and Innovation Manager at Great Ethiopian Run plc, said “we were planning in detail to celebrate our 20th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run big but due to the pandemic things were completely changed, and made our event organization be more critical in taking all the measures into consideration and finally host a race small in number but huge in getting a wonderful feedback from both the local and international community.”
She also added “at a time when the global economy has been badly hit by the pandemic, it is even more important that we continue to recognize and celebrate the contribution of female athletes such as Aselefech to the economic landscape in Ethiopia. Hers is a huge achievement, and reflects the achievements of so many women in Ethiopia who are pushing back barriers and moving our country forward.”
Registration for the 2021 Sofi Malt WOMEN FIRST 5km starts on March 1 at three selected Enat Bank branches (Mexico, Kazanchiz and Megenagna) and Great Ethiopian Run Office and through online registration methods.