[ Spokesman-Recorder ] Displaced Oromians race to free their homeland

by Charles Hallman
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 8/8/2007

Although it is one of Africa’s largest nations, Oromia is either forgotten by or unknown to the majority of the world today. A July 29 first-ever race around Lake Calhoun was intended in part to rectify that oversight.

Only four nations in Africa have larger populations than Oromia (estimated at 40 million), which is located in the Horn of Africa and makes up a large part of Ethiopia. It is about the size of Texas. read more

7/31/2007

Run for Oromia 5k and 10k - July 29

Brad Lowery won the Run for Oromia 5k in 14:31 and Jason Lehmkuhle was second in a time of 14:35 in the race held around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on Saturday. Also placing in the top three in the 5k was new Team USA Minnesota runner Emily Brown who finished in third place with a time of 16:57.
In the companion 10k race which was held first, Lehmkuhle was third in 29:17. The first-time event featured a $36,700 prize purse and was held to recognize Minnesota for hosting Oromos who have settled in the state from Ethiopia. read more

[ Down the backstretch blogs ] RUNNING AND TRACK & FIELD FROM MINNESOTA

Jason Lehmkuhle had a strong showing in the 10K, running 29:17 for third place. Mathew Chesang of Olathe, Kansas led the field in 29:07 while Wegayehu Tefera of Bronx, New York was second in 29:09. The event featured a large, 5-deep prize purse with Chesang picking up $5,000, Tefera collecting $2,500 and Lehmkuhle taking home $1,500.read more

[ Runners World ] Three Team USA Minnesota Members Compete In Run For Oromia 5k/10k In Minneapolis

On Sunday at Lake Calhoun, the 10k is at 8:00 a.m. and the 5k is at 9:00. The event includes a $36,700 prize purse with $5,000 each for the first place male and female in the 10k race, and $2,500 each for the male and female winners of the 5k. The event is sponsored by the Oliqaa Foundation in part to recognize Minnesota for hosting Oromos, Africans who settled in the state from Ethiopia. Jason Lehmkuhle will run in the 10k event, while teammates Brad Lowery and Ryan Kleimenhagen will compete in the 5k. Lehmkuhle most recently posted a 10k time of 28:54 at the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta on July 4. Lowery has run 14:27 on the roads in the 5k while Kleimenhagen has covered the distance in 14:59. read more

[ Team USA Minnesota ] Articles and Press Releases

Team USA Minnesota Competitions this Weekend: Matt Gabrielson, Andrew Carlson, Jenelle Deatherage at Heusden; Chris Lundstrom in Pan Am Marathon; Three Athletes in Run for Oromia 5k/10k in Minneapolis

7/26/2007

Run for Oromia 5k/10k - July 29

Three Team USA Minnesota runners will compete in the Run for Oromia 5K or 10k, which will be held at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on Sunday. The 10k starts at 8:00 a.m. and the 5k is at 9:00 a.m. the event includes a $36,700 prize purse with $5,000 each for the first place male and female in the 10k race and $2,500 each for the male and female winners of the 5k read more

[Twincities Sports ] Run for Oromia

Join Peace Coffee on Sunday, July 29 at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis for this first-year event that is sure to be a hit with Minnesota’s largest short distance prize purse with nearly $40,000 in prize money to be split between the 5K and 10K overall and age group winners. Race starts at 8:00 a.m. Each participant will receive a short sleeved performance shirt. Come and learn more about Oromia. This is just one of many events of Oromo Mega Fest occurring this week. Check out www.oliqaa.com. Registration info is available at www.active.com more info

[ VOA NEWS ] Minneapolis Holds "Run for Oromia"

Nigusu Tamire Negawo
11/07/2007

Interview with Obbo Mike Abebe
Listen to Interview with Obbo Mike Abebe

On July 29, 2007, the city of Minneapolis, MN is hosting the first ever "Run for Oromia."
The race is designed to raise awarness about the plight of Oromos living in Ethiopia and about the Mecha and Tullema Development Association's prisoners, says the sponsor and coordinator of the race Obbo Mike Abebe. read more