Yismaw Dillu and Melknat Wudu collected the top prizes in the elite races at the 2025 Sofi malt Great Ethiopian Run International 10km that took place in Addis Ababa earlier today.
Dillu was the more convincing of the two winners, coming home in a time of 28 minutes and 25 seconds, within 9 seconds of the course record (28:16) set by Deriba Merga in 2006. His win made amends for his disappointment of not qualifying for the Ethiopian team at last Saturday’s cross-country trials, even though he is better known for his exploits on the road and track.
Dillu who had finished in 3rd place last year came into the race in form, having won the Cardiff Half Marathon on 5th October in a time of 59 minutes and 23 seconds. At the end of the summer he also ran a road mile of 3:58.7 showing he has a good range of distances.
Finishing in second was Eyob Simeyn (28:28) with Dinkalem Ayele in 3rd (28:29).
In the women’s race Melknat Wudu, who won here two years ago, confirmed her return to form by outkicking Fitaw Zeray in the last 150m of the race. Two weeks ago Wudu had finished 2nd to her compatriot Fantaye Belaynesh in the Boston Half-Marathon after having been sidelined by injury for the second half of the summer.
Zeray who has a best time of 31:55 over 10km from Boston and 66:04 for the half-marathon from Ras Al Khaimah, both set in 2023, expressed her delight in getting so close to Wudu who is better known as a 5km/10km specialist.
Both winners took home cash prizes of 400,000 Ethiopian birr (just over USD $2,650). Having the winners’ tag attached to their name will mean just as much to them as they continue their international careers. Dillu next races in Saudi Arabia on 5th December, while Wudu looks to return to the track for the coming indoor season.
The first ambassador to cross the line today was the Norwegian Ambassador who finished in a time of 49 minutes and 3 seconds.
Daniel Komen and Khalid Khannouchi, who had been invited as guests of Great Ethiopian Run, completed the course with the masses, coming home in 44 minutes and 50 minutes respectively.
Top 3 results:
Men
1. Yismaw Dillu 28:25.2
2. Addisu Negash 28:28.6
3. Dinkalem Ayele 28:29.2
Women
1. Melknat Wudu 32.11.2
2. Fitaw Zeray 32.11.5
3. Meselech Alemayehu 32.19.7
(Great Ethiopian Run)
