Irish Runners Take on Africa’s Largest Road Race, Rallying Support for GOAL Mile and Communities in Need

This week, supporters of the Irish humanitarian charity GOAL, including Irish running legend and long-time GOAL champion Eamonn Coghlan, alongside GOAL Mile organisers and father and son duo Liam O’Brien and Ben Sweeney O’Brien, will head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for Africa’s largest road race: the Great Ethiopian Run.

Training with the GOAL Ethiopia team and GOAL USA fundraisers in the Entoto Mountains before the GER. (photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

Their mission? To raise awareness and rally support for GOAL’s life-saving work in the lead-up to Ireland’s beloved GOAL Mile event this Christmas.

L-to-R-Ben, Eamonn, and Liam visiting the GOALs programming location in northern Ethiopia. (photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

The Great Ethiopian Run is a demanding 10km race beginning in downtown Addis Ababa. At a remarkable altitude of 8,000 feet, it adds an intense layer of challenge for participants. Every year, the run draws over 30,000 runners from across the globe, including world-class athletes like Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie and British champion Richard Nerurkar.

With Kenyan athlete Ryluth Chepngetich, current women’s world record holder in the marathon. (photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

This year, as Eamonn, Liam, and Ben navigate the high-altitude course, they’ll be cheered on by tens of thousands of spectators in Addis, with millions more tuning in worldwide.

Training with the GOAL Ethiopia team and GOAL USA fundraisers in the Entoto Mountains before the GER. (photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

During their time in Ethiopia, the trio will visit GOAL’s field programmes to see firsthand the impact of the charity’s work, made possible in part by GOAL Mile fundraising. GOAL’s dedicated team of over 780 staff in Ethiopia reaches families across 60 districts and eight regions, including Afar, Amhara, Gambela, and Tigray. These programmes provide critical support in nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) livelihoods, food security, health, and protection—bringing relief to communities facing extreme crises such as drought, conflict, and displacement.

Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopian athlete and founder of the Great Ethiopian Run and GOAL Mile Organisers Liam O’Brien and Ben Sweeney O’Brien in Ethiopia. (photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

As they tackle this intense challenge in Ethiopia, Eamonn, Liam, and Ben are calling on communities across Ireland to do the simple thing: join them in putting their best foot forward this Christmas by participating in the GOAL Mile.

“For over four decades, the GOAL Mile has been close to my heart, bringing people across Ireland together to walk or run in support of those facing unimaginable challenges,” says Eamonn Coghlan.

“This year, taking that spirit to Ethiopia for one of the toughest runs feels incredibly meaningful. As a runner, it’s humbling to channel the grit and determination of the GOAL Mile in a place where resilience is part of everyday life. It’s a powerful reminder that communities, from Ireland to Ethiopia, can unite for a brighter future.”

Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopian athlete and founder of the Great Ethiopian Run and Irish athlete Eamonn Coghlan. (photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

Speaking about the significance of the GOAL Mile for his family and the wider community, runner and GOAL Mile organiser Liam O’Brien said:

“The GOAL Mile is so much more than a community event; it’s also a conversation starter that can assist families cultivate in their children an awareness of global issues and help develop a humanitarian mindset from a young age.”

“I’m incredibly proud to be heading to Ethiopia with my son Ben, who’s this year now also going to be a GOAL Mile organiser himself. It feels great to come full circle, having organised and done GOAL Miles together throughout the years and now taking part in this incredible race. When we return, we’ll each be organizing our respective GOAL Miles on Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s, and hope to inspire more families to carry on this important tradition.”

Liam and Ben are visiting one of GOAL’s programme sites in Tigray.(photos added post-event 19.11.2024)

This Christmas, GOAL invites people across Ireland to join one of over 160 GOAL Mile events nationwide. Whether you’re running, walking, or simply showing up, every mile completed helps GOAL deliver hope and humanitarian aid where it’s needed most.

Be part of the tradition. Join the GOAL Mile this Christmas. Register today at www.goalmile.org.