Over 115 Eritrean runners competed in Asmara Stadium

EAAA and ENAF conducted four competitions for Eritrean runners in Asmara on Saturday June 25, 2005. Many runners showed up for the competitions; the 1500 meters Men were over numbered and we were forced to do three different heats. the 50 runners devided in three groups of 16-17 runners. The top six were determined by time.

1. Mulugeta Arefe 4:01:64 ( 1st from Heat three)

2.Mehari Fessehaye 4:02:46 ( 2nd from heat three)

3.Isak Sibhatu 4:02:86         ( 1st from heat two)

4.Mulugeta Negash 4:04:84  ( 3rd from heat three)

5.Girmay Yohannes 4:05:43  (1st from heat one)

6.Hays Woldai   4:05:93       ( 2nd from heat one)

In the 1500 meter Females, Furtuna Zegergish was leading all the way but Shewit come from behind with 300 meters to go and won the race with a time of 4:47:58 to take first prize shoes and cash award.  Halima Ali come with 13 seconds behind Furtuna to win third place. Helen Hayelom, Merhawit Mehari and Weghat  Tsegai finished 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

Weini Tedros was the leader for most part of the 3000 meters Female race. Eden Tesfalem was closely following Weini. Both weini and Eden were part of the World cross Country Competition held in Paris about three months ago. The results were as follows:

1. Weini Tedros 10:40:12

2. Eden Tesfalem 10:47:36

3.Yodit Mehari 10:56:25

4. Kedish Tesfai 11:19:73

5. Sara Tuku'E   11:36:09

6. Letekidan Berhane 11:53:07

The highly competitive and exciting competition of 5000 meters was saved at last.  Samuel Tsegai emerged to the lead after 5 laps and was leading all the way but closely followed by Amanuel Weldeselassie and Kahsay Kidane.

In the final lap, Amanuel sprinted to close the gap of about 50 meters and to make an exciting finish with Samuel Tsegai.  Amanuel won the race with micro seconds.

1. Amauel Weldeselassie

2. Samuel Tsegai             

3. Kahsay Kidane             

4.Teklit Ketema                 

5.Tesfai Felfele                  

6. Teklemariam Medhin       

The top four finishers in this 5000 meter competition has represented Eritrea in the World Cross Country Champs in Paris .  The most noticed race was done by Teklemariam Medhin who participated for his first time in Asmara Stadium's 5K competition and was able to get the 6th place prize.

Top Three from each competition were awarded shoes and cash. 4th, 5th and 6th were awarded T-shirt and cash award. The Shoes and t-shirts were donated to ENAF by EAAA about a month ago and ENAF was willing to give them as a prize in these competitions. The Cash award were donated by EAAA.

Ato Beyene Russom, Ato Asefaw Gerezgiheir, Aster Firezgi and Fetlewerk Akal from ENAF handed the prizes to the winners.

From EAAA, Yonas Tekie and Yohannes Debesai were in Asmara Stadium coordinating the events with other 15 members of ENAF, coaches, and Technical staff. The competition costed EAAA about 10,000 Nakfa.

The runners, coaches and ENAF members were very thankful for the continuous support of EAAA.