Ethiopian experience molds marathoners

ADDIS ABABA — On undulating dirt tacks near Addis Ababa, Chinese runners push through the pain barrier, hopeful of one day emulating Ethiopia’s marathon masters.

The right training methods and some good old-fashioned hard work could make that dream a reality, according to Chinese coach Gesang Ciren, who has spent the past five years in the African country’s highlands to take advantage of the ideal training conditions.

In particular, Gesang is drawn to the famous Entoto Mountains on the outskirts of the capital.

The area is a major training destination for Ethiopia’s all-conquering long-distance runners, with the legendary Haile Gebrselassie among those to have pounded the region’s hills on his way to global glory.

Gesang has been coaching Chinese runners for over five years in Ethiopia, and now conducts daily training sessions in the Entoto Mountains.

“Close to half a dozen athletes came to Ethiopia all the way from China to learn the secrets behind the great success of Ethiopian marathoners,” Gesang told Xinhua.

“Most of my athletes learn the essential value of hard work towards realizing their dreams of becoming the next marathon champions.”

The focus is often on honing breathing techniques — a vital component of long-distance running — while the pupils hope other qualities of Ethiopia’s world-beaters rub off on them.

“We have similar highland elevation in China, but not the profound experience of Ethiopian marathoners,” Gesang said.

“My students come here to learn from Ethiopian athletes. Most of the Ethiopians started their training from childhood. This is one of the important differences we have noticed.”

Duobujie, a 24-year-old from the mountainous Tibet autonomous region, said training with Gesang in Ethiopia has “immensely elevated” his athletics career.

“I have been training here for almost three months every year over the past five years, and I have made noticeable improvements in my performance,” Duobujie told Xinhua.

Duobujie plans to gauge his progress at the Xuzhou City Marathon in Jiangsu province on March 24 and ultimately hopes to represent China at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

“With my current good momentum, I hope to qualify for Tokyo 2020,” he said.

Boding well for Duobujie’s dream is that he and his compatriots have earned praise from their Ethiopian counterparts.

Coach Kassim Adelo, who has witnessed the Chinese contingent’s progress up close over the past three years, is impressed.

“Our athletes (both Ethiopian and Chinese) have been taking uniform training sessions without favoritism to either group,” Adelo told Xinhua.

“The athletes who train the hardest will win, because sport is all about competition and only the best win.”