By Sarah Barker
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In the mellow evening light of mid-summer, yellow-shirted runners clustered around the inflatable Start/Finish arch at Veterans Park in Richfield. The arch and the nearby bandshell were hung with large flags, American and Ethiopian. The inaugural MN Lakes 5K Run was more than a race, it was a celebration of the vibrant Ethiopian culture here in Minnesota.
Organized by Olympic gold medalist Million Wolde and the 2000 Million Wolde Running Club, the event was attended by another Olympic gold medalist, Tariku Bekele (that’s Kenenisa Bekele’s brother), and the former president of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, and endorsed via video by distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie. It’s not often a local event has that kind of star power.
A kids’ run started the activities off, followed by the 5K that made two loops of the park and lake. Drum-forward Ethiopian music lent a festive atmosphere, and soon, the smell of roasting coffee beans wafted from the bandshell. As runners finished, they were invited to enjoy the strong, dark coffee served in traditional espresso cups and delicious Ethiopian white and wheat bread. Million Wolde’s daughter, Beza, and other women dressed in ornately embroidered Ethiopian attire, performed dances as the crowd sampled the coffee and took pictures. The flags fluttered, the elders of the community shared memories, organizer Million Wolde was pulled in a hundred different directions, and youngsters eyed the trophies on the award table.
The owner of Workinesh Spice Blends, a sponsor of the MN Lakes 5K, said she was encouraged by the first-year turnout, and thought it would grow in the future. She asked if I’d met the Olympians in attendance, and waved Million and Tariku over.
Intrigued by Million’s backstory, his path to Minnesota, and what inspired him to establish the MN Lakes 5K Run, I emailed some questions before the event. Below are Million’s responses.
Sarah Barker: I assume you grew up in Ethiopia. Can you tell us a little about your life there—where did you live? Did you have brothers, sisters? Did you live on a farm or city? Did you do sports as a kid? I have to ask—why did your parents name you Million?
Million Wolde: My name is Athlete Million Wolde, and I'm one of the few Ethiopian runners born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Most Ethiopian runners come from rural farm areas, but my family lived in the city. I have four brothers and four sisters, all of whom also grew up in Addis Ababa. I'm the only one in my family who took up running, starting the sport as the youngest sibling. I got my name from my father, though I'm not sure why he chose it; perhaps he sensed I would have a successful running career.
Sarah Barker: Most top runners in the U.S. run through university first, and then try elite competition. Is that the path you followed?
Million Wolde: Growing up, I spent most of my time running, which meant I didn't go far in school. I wish I had been able to balance both. In our neighborhood, there was a soccer field where my friends and I would meet to play. When that field closed, we made it our mission to find another place to play soccer. We discovered a field in "Entoto," about 10 kilometers from where we lived. We would run 10 kilometers to the field, play soccer with friends, and then run another 10 kilometers back home. It was during these runs that I saw the Ethiopian national runners practicing, which inspired me to pursue running seriously. Unlike many top runners in the U.S. who progress through university before entering elite competition, my path was different. My early focus on running led me directly into competitive sports, driven by the inspiration I found in my surroundings and the national athletes I admired.
Sarah Barker: You won an Olympic gold medal at 5000 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. How did that shape your life?
Million Wolde: I am incredibly grateful to have won the Olympic gold medal in the 5000 meters. This experience has motivated me to mentor and coach young athletes since 2013, aiming to inspire and guide the next generation of runners.
Sarah Barker: Why did you leave Ethiopia? How did you come to be in Minnesota?
Million Wolde: I left Ethiopia to explore job opportunities as a coach in the United States. Initially, I spent time in New York, where I worked as an assistant coach in various high schools. During this time, my children were still attending school in Ethiopia. Later on, I moved to Minnesota with my whole family, continuing my coaching career and settling into the community here.
Sarah Barker: Is coaching your main job now?
Million Wolde: Yes, coaching is my main job now [Wolde is a USATF certified and Ethiopian Athletic Federation coach]. I currently coach at the Higher Ground Academy, Hmong College Prep Academy, and my own club, 2000 Million Wolde Running Club. Coaching allows me to work closely with young athletes, sharing my experience and passion for running.
Sarah Barker: Why did you decide to establish the MN Lakes 5K Run? Why an evening event (most races are in the morning)?
Million Wolde: I decided to organize the MN Lakes 5K Run to bring the community together, promote health, and highlight Minnesota's beautiful lakes. An evening race offers many benefits: the evening light makes the scenery more beautiful, it's convenient for those with morning commitments, and the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for running. Additionally, an evening event can include social activities showcased afterward. The goal is to make the event fun, inclusive, and memorable for everyone.
Sarah Barker: I love that you included traditional Ethiopian dancing and coffee—maybe Twin Citians are not aware of the Ethiopian community here?
Million Wolde: Yes, including these elements promotes Ethiopia's beautiful culture. Traditional Ethiopian dancing and the coffee ceremony are integral parts of the culture, showcasing its rich heritage and vibrant traditions. By incorporating these into the event, we aim to introduce and celebrate Ethiopian culture with a broader audience, fostering greater awareness and appreciation within the Twin Cities community.
This article originally appeared in the TCM's weekly e-newsletter, The Connection. Subscribe to the Connection here.
Photos by Sarah Barker.
Sarah Barker is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Deadspin, Outside, Runner's World, and elsewhere. She's enjoyed the vibrant Minnesota running community for a lot of decades, and hopes to continue in said pursuit. Here's something she wrote about ultra running phenom and Hopkins product, Courtney Dauwalter.