ADDIS ABABA | CHARLOTTE, NC \u2013 Great Ethiopian Run today announced a multi-year partnership with Bank of America to serve as the Presenting Partner for Great Ethiopian Run beginning in 2026. The partnership extends the bank\u2019s global endurance portfolio into one of Africa\u2019s most dynamic and fast-growing running communities. Together, Bank of America and Great Ethiopian Run will promote the growth of three major running events \u2013 the Great Ethiopian Run International 10km, its associated Children\u2019s Races and, beginning in 2027, the Women First 5km \u2013 all presented by Bank of America to drive visibility for Ethiopia\u2019s vibrant running culture and contribute to the local economy through sport, tourism and enterprise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bank of America\u2019s partnership with Great Ethiopian Run is rooted in a community-driven approach to inspire the next generation and expand access to endurance sports across Ethiopia and around the world. It reinforces Bank of America\u2019s long-term commitment to driving progress, and support communities through sport, aligning with Great Ethiopian Run\u2019s core vision to make running a lifestyle for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very excited about the next stage of the journey for Great Ethiopian Run with Bank of America as our partner in all that we do,\u201d said Dagmawit Amare, General Manager at Great Ethiopian Run. \u201cWith a strong commitment to our community and to the next generation, we will work together to use our flagship race to broaden our reach and find new ways to increase access to running for children and young people.\u201d<\/p>\n
A central goal of the collaboration is to significantly boost participation in the iconic Great Ethiopian Run International 10km event, with this Sunday\u2019s 25th anniversary race expected to attract around 50,000 participants, along with expanding participation in the children\u2019s and women\u2019s events. These initiatives underscore a shared dedication to fostering local talent, promoting a healthy lifestyle and creating platforms that celebrate Ethiopia\u2019s unique running culture and community spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat Ethiopian Run is a world-class organization that is expanding the positive impact of sports throughout Ethiopia, Africa and the world,\u201d said Brad Ross, Head of Global Marketing Partnerships at Bank of America. \u201cAs we aim to help communities thrive globally, create impactful opportunities and support athletes, Bank of America is proud to team up with Great Ethiopian Run to grow participation in youth and women\u2019s races, empowering the next generation through the power of sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Great Ethiopian Run significantly contributes to Addis Ababa\u2019s tourism and infrastructure development, attracting thousands of international visitors each year and stimulating local businesses. This partnership will amplify these benefits \u2013 creating jobs, boosting local enterprises and providing specific economic advantages for communities in and around Addis Ababa.<\/p>\n
Building on Bank of America’s sponsorship of two Abbott World Marathon Majors \u2013 the Boston and Chicago Marathons \u2013 where the events annually generate a combined economic impact of over $1.1 billion and raise more than $90 million for charitable causes, this partnership brings invaluable global resources and practices to Great Ethiopian Run and its portfolio of events.<\/p>\n
By connecting its global endurance platform to Africa\u2019s next generation of runners, Bank of America is continuing to demonstrate how sport can create opportunity \u2013 uniting people, markets and communities and reinforcing its role as a partner in regional and global growth and aligning with its broader business strategy across EMEA and Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n
As Great Ethiopian Run continues to drive its core vision \u201cto make running a lifestyle for everyone,\u201d Bank of America will provide the resources and endurance expertise to support the modernization of race operations through advanced technology. This strategic focus aims to enhance the runner experience, streamline event management and efficiently manage the event\u2019s expanding footprint. This commitment will attract more participants, solidify its position as a leading global running event and ensure the event\u2019s long-term sustainability and reach as a vibrant cultural celebration for Ethiopia.<\/p>\n
Bank of America partners with the most iconic brands in sports as part of their work to create new and deepen existing client relationships, engage teammates and make a lasting economic impact, globally and locally. Beyond its partnership with Great Ethiopian Run, Bank of America partners with global brands and events across endurance, soccer and golf with events like The Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Chicago Distance Series, FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122, the U.S. Soccer Federation and all 27 U.S. National Teams, The Masters Tournament and the Augusta National Women\u2019s Amateur. Bank of America rallies around these partnerships to drive business, build its brand and make an impact across 35 countries and nearly 100 U.S. local markets in which they operate.<\/p>\n
Great Ethiopian Run is Ethiopia’s premier event management company specializing in mass-participation running events. Since its inception in 2001, Great Ethiopian Run has staged over 200 races in different parts of Ethiopia. In recent years, the organization has focused on taking mass-participation races to all corners of Ethiopia; developing capacity in the office and event teams staffed entirely by Ethiopians, and working with sponsors on a range of publicity campaigns. Great Ethiopian Run also consults for and provides operational support to races staged outside Ethiopia in different African countries and further afield.<\/p>\n
Bank of America is one of the world\u2019s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.<\/p>\n