Race organizers and the President of the Irish-Ethiopian Friendship Association have started preparations to fly hundreds of Irish men and women for the 2006 Great Ethiopian Run. The 10km race, which last year attracted close to 25,000 participants, expects to draw the largest non-Ethiopian contingent ever. Mr John O’Brian, an Irish businessman and President of the Irish-Ethiopian Friendship Association, was in town for a week to help lay the ground and held discussions with the race organizers, including Haile Gebreselassie, the initiator and champion of this biggest road race in Ethiopia. “The race organizers have shown tremendous interest as did Ethiopian Airlines,” Mr. O’Brian told The Reporter who this week met with Haile, Great Ethiopian Run Manager Richard Neurekar and Ethiopian officials. “They are ready to host us, and we are devoted to live up to their expectations.” Mr. O’Brian hopes to fly 200 Irish for the race. “Already, 70 people have signed up on short notice, and if we do it right, we can bring over hundreds of them,” Mr. O’Brian said after his discussions with the race organizers. Haile, the great Olympian, who is as excited in the project, told The Reporter that he might as well have a surprise for the Irish participants of the race. Haile’s connections to Ireland dates back years and the most monumental of all came when he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by The University College of Dublin (UCD) two years ago. Along with Hon. Dr. Michael Woods who is chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, Haile is now the Honorary Patron of the Irish-Ethiopian Friendship Association. “I have always been fascinated by the Irish,” he said after he officially announced his commitment to the project. Preparations are now finalized to formally launch race registration process in Dublin, Ireland, on the occasion of the new Ethiopian year next month. “I could only wish the great Irish runner Sonia O'Sullivan would join us for the event,” says Richard, who is keen on Mr. O’Brian’s initiative. Last year, Gabriela Szabo of Romania was one of the leading world class athletes who arrived here for the race as a guest of honor. Coming aboard is also Ethiopian Airlines which has become the official airline sponsor for the 6th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run. “Discussions are under way to realize the project” says Kagnew Fesseha, the Manager for Public Relations and Publications for Ethiopian. Mr. O’Brian hopes Ethiopian would fly to Dublin to bring the race participants. Voluntary donations participants are expected to go to the SALU Self Help Blind and Handicapped Association and the Black Lion Hospital. Mr. O’Brian was instrumental in bringing hundreds of wheelchairs from Ireland for the Association. But above all, says Tony Hickey, a seasoned tour operator and manager of the new tour company Ethiopian Quadrants, the Irish connection would bring attention to Ethiopia as a tourist destination. “After the presence of such a big Irish group, it would never be the same again,” Tony told this reporter. “In large measure, that is what the Irish-Ethiopian Friendship Association intends to do,” Mr. O’ Brian concurs. “As an association, we want to attract investment and tourists to Ethiopia.” For further information on the race contact Richard Nerurkar on greatrun@ethionet.et