Ethiopian runners with DC connections provide inspiration on a rainy day

Girls Gotta Run supports Ethiopian girls.

Washington-area runners this week are coping with the difficult decision of whether to cancel their scheduled runs on account of the rainy muck besieging the region, or brave the weather and go running anyway.

Hearing the stories of some runners persevering despite truly difficult decisions, like whether to jeopardize their families' financial health in order to buy new running shoes,made my decision for me.

Washington resident Patricia Ortman, executive director of Girls Gotta Run, a Washington-based nonprofit that raises money for Ethiopian girls training to be professional runners, sent me an update about three Ethiopian girls receiving funding from the group.

The update came via Garrett Ash of Girls Gotta Run's partner organization, Running Across Borders. Ash "collected" the girls last month to bring them to the group's camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for several weeks of training.

Ortman started Girls Gotta Run in early 2006 after reading about girls like beneficiary Dikinesh Mekasha Tefera, who see running as a bridge out of poverty and toward education and a better life.

Also receiving benefits from Girls Gotta Run: Seada Nura Bati, who has six siblings and a family that struggled mightily to come up with the 200 Birr (roughly 20 USD) for new running shoes.

Then, there's Dunkane Keba Desso, who moved 600 kilometers away from her family to train with the famed Mugher Cement Athletics Club, but was released from the team after becoming injured. Ash writes that now that she's with Running Across Borders, she'll have access to medical care in addition to training resources.

What's inspiring you on this rainy Tuesday morning? Let me know by posting a comment.