Elley looking ahead to African road race

CHARITY fundraiser and Waringstown woman, Elley Martin is getting set for the trip of a lifetime this November when she travels with Citybeat radio presenter Paulo Ross to Ethiopia.

The duo will join 35,000 other competitors in the Great Ethiopian Run (GER), the biggest road race in Africa and once described as the world’s toughest fun run to raise funds for Concern Worldwide, the international aid agency.

The 10km run will take Elley and Paulo through the streets of the historic Ethiopian capital, at the truly breathtaking altitude of 8,000 feet. During the trip, the pair will visit some of Concern field projects and see exactly where and how the money raised will be spent. As part of the Concern team, they will also enjoy a pre-race dinner with Haile Gebreselassie, the fastest distance runner ever and 29 times world record holder.

Since the first race in 2001 it has already attracted high-profile athletes such as John Treacy, Paula Radcliffe, Tilahun Regassa and Wude Ayalew.

Elley, who is also a fundraiser with Concern, is urging people from her local area to join her and Paulo on the trip, “I’m really excited about taking part in Africa’s biggest race in November.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to run alongside some amazing people, but also to visit some of the Concern field projects and see firsthand the amazing work the charity does in helping local communities.

I’m urging all runners to get registered, raise some funds, and join Paulo and I on this once in a lifetime trip.

The 2012 Great Ethiopian Run takes place on November 25th. For more information or to register visit www.concernchallenge.org or contact Mariclare on 02890 331100.

Source: lurganmail.co.uk