Shire Abdi

Djibouti – Djibouti has officially hosted the 24th East African Half Marathon, an international competition that brought together athletes from various countries.

The event, jointly organized by the Djibouti Sports Committee, the Djiboutian Armed Forces, the Athletics Federation, and Djibouti Telecom, took place at the prestigious Al Haji Hassan Abidon Stadium.

Athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tunisia, Rwanda, Angola, Burundi, Somalia, and host country Djibouti participated in the marathon, competing for top positions. Djiboutian runners dominated the race, demonstrating the country’s growing prowess in athletics.

The winning athletes were awarded medals and prizes in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

“This is my second victory, Alhamdulillah! All praise belongs to God. Every achievement is the result of hard work, and I have put in a lot of effort. I even trained in Addis Ababa. My message is: hard work pays off,” said Mohamed Ismail Fatah, who won first place.

The President of Djibouti’s Athletics Federation, Said Ismail, also spoke at the event, highlighting the success of Djiboutian athletes in the competition as a significant step forward for the country’s athletics sector.

“The marathon is an international competition jointly organized by the Djibouti Sports Committee, the Armed Forces, the Athletics Federation, and Djibouti Telecom. It is a prestigious event that embodies dedication, endurance, and true competition. This race provides an opportunity for professional and aspiring athletes to showcase their talent and resilience,” said Said Ismail.

This international half marathon plays a crucial role in developing athletics in East Africa, particularly in Djibouti, which hosts the event annually. Future editions of the marathon are expected to further enhance the region’s athletic capabilities.