Great Ethiopian Run

Level of Difficulty

The Great Ethiopian Run is graded as “tough”. It is a gruelling experience that will test you both mentally and physically. You should not undertake this challenge without significant training.

You can tell your supporters that on the Great Ethiopian Run you will be:

• Running 10km in the heat.
• The run takes place at around 8,000ft.

Clothing and Equipment

Good quality kit could mean the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, good quality running kit is key. Make sure you have worn in your running trainers before so you don’t get blisters which would make it an uncomfortable 10 km.

Other essentials are high quality technical t-shirts/vests rather than cotton shirts (to wear under your Great Ethiopian Run shirt). A full kit list for this challenge can be found here once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Training

Anyone who leads a fairly active and moderately healthy lifestyle should be OK, but the more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Don’t forget the impact of temperature extremes and altitude.

• Endurance training should be your primary focus.
• Ensure that you get some training runs done in the UK to familiarise yourself with the distance.
• Join one of our training weekends! Read more about our training weekends by clicking here.

Money

Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB) divided into 100 cents. For up to date currency exchange, go to www.xe.com. The Ethiopian Birr is a soft currency and you cannot obtain Birr before leaving the UK. All exchange transactions should be undertaken with banks, including branches, which may be found at major tourist hotels and at the airport in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Birr cannot be exported, therefore should be reconverted.

Exchange: There are limited opportunities to exchange foreign currency outside the major cities. On arrival at the airport in Addis Ababa, there is a foreign exchange bureau where you can change cash or travellers’ cheques at the prevailing free market exchange rate.

Credit cards: Credit cards are not generally accepted in Ethiopia.

Spending money: You will not need to bring large amounts of money, and other than at the start and end of the challenge, you will be in the mountain away from any foreign exchanges or banks. We recommend that you take a sufficient amount of cash to exchange into local currency. Dollars are recommended. Travellers’ cheques should be accepted at the banks and at Addis Ababa airport. Credit cards are not accepted. Somewhere in the region of £200 in US dollars should be sufficient to cover presents, tips, drinks and so on.

Tips: Tipping is personal and at your sole discretion. You should only tip if you feel that you have received good service. We recommend approx. US$5 per person per day, Make sure you have plenty of small Birr notes or US$1 bills for tipping.

Visas

You will need a passport and a multiple entry tourist visa. The tourist visa is obtainable in the UK and costs approximately £22. We will supply you with the application form & a copy of the flight ticket. The visa allows a stay of up to three months and is valid from the date of issue so make sure you do not apply too early otherwise it will run out before you arrive in Ethiopia. Your passport must have at least six months to run from the end of your challenge. When applying you will need to provide your visa form, a copy of your flight ticket, a recent bank statement, 1 passport photo and the fee. 

Vaccinations

For up to date vaccination information please check the NHS Government website ‘Fit for Travel at: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas below 2000m, all year round. Please seek advice from your doctor.

Accommodation

You will stay in standard 3 or 4 star hotels In Addis. If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with, please let Charity Challenge know in advance.

Food and Drink

There will be hotel breakfast (porridge, eggs, toast, tea and coffee) to start the day, lunch on the mountain, and a filling hot meal in the evening (soup, followed by rice, potato or pasta and sauce.) There will be drinking water provided at meals. Please let Charity Challenge know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies.

Flights

You will be flying from London Heathrow Airport to Addis Ababa Airport and returning from Addis Ababa to London Heathrow Airport). Your flight tickets will handed to you at the airport on the day of departure.  If you choose to book your own flights you must confirm with the Charity Challenge office before paying otherwise you may be liable for your included group flights (please contact flights@charitychallenge.com for further assistance).

Luggage Allowance and Valuables

As no formal clothes are needed, luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum - details on what to pack are provided in your kit list. Although the airline’s luggage weight allowance is around 23kgs, your main bag should not weigh more than 15kg for this challenge.

While we will do everything possible to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Your passport and money should be kept on you at all times. 

Leadership

We employ a number of qualified challenge leaders, all of whom speak English. They will ultimately be responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary. However we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your challenge leader will have the final say.

Group Size

Each group is intended to be a minimum of 10 people in order to run and a maximum of approximately 25 people.