The Great Ethiopian Run just celebrated its 25th anniversary on the streets of Addis Ababa, and let's be real it's less of a race and more of a giant, 10-kilometer street party. This year, the vibe was absolutely electric, making it clear why this event is famously nicknamed "Africa’s Biggest Road Race."

Over 55,000 people showed up, flooding the city center in a glorious, colorful wave. Forget your usual quiet fun runs; this is a full-on cultural explosion. The city’s newly spruced-up streets turned into a proper festive stage, booming with music and traditional performances as tens of thousands of runners from serious athletes to casual joggers got swept up in the community spirit.

 
The star power was real, too. Race founder and running legend Haile Gebrselassie was there, of course, but the event also drew some legendary rivals from Kenya, like Paul Tergat and Daniel Komen. Even Moroccan American marathon icon Khalid Khannouchi laced up his shoes to run the whole 10K with the masses, clocking a solid 50 minutes. It was a proper show of respect for the country's unparalleled running culture.

 
It's about more than just fast times. The race is a huge fundraiser, and this year, it doubled down on its charitable mission, attracting international teams like GOAL USA, who were working hard to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes.

 
The Great Ethiopian Run isn't just about athletic achievement; it’s a powerful, joyous moment where a nation shows off its heart, unity, and world class spirit to everyone watching.