Author Archives: blog
MY MORNING RUN” by Julia Bleasdale on Vimeo
My 11 mile morning run in the hills and valleys above Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Filmed just after sunrise on yet another perfect day in early January.
Yaya’s Elite Guests Competing Across the Globe!
From December onwards the Yaya Village Hotel was a training mecca for elites like Taoufik Maklhoufi, the Dibaba sisters, Ayale Suleiman, Julia Bleasdale, Balla Abdulrahman and Tariku Bekele. It was magical, inspiring and flat out intimidating to walk into the gym and be surrounded by such a grossly talented and hardworking group of athletes.
The Cream of the Crop Recounting the Best Running Trails Around the Yaya Village
One of the most important factors that sets the Yaya Village Hotel apart as an ideal training ground for runners of all levels are the endless trails that surround the hotel. Tucked away in the foothills of the Entoto mountains, and located just on the outskirts of Addis only a short 30-45 minute drive away from the city, the Yaya Village Hotel sits beautifully in a vast expanse of rolling fields.
Forays into Mountain Racing; Photos and Stories from the Yaya Girls First Ever Mountain Race
On May 19th the Yaya Girls held a Mountain Fundraiser race to raise awareness and money for the Yaya Girls Program. The race was attended by over 150 adults and close to 50 kids. While the attendance numbers were lower than events put on by the Great Ethiopian Run, for the Yaya Girls, it was a chance to get a feel for what it is like to organize a larger race. Continue reading
Recapping my time at Yaya!
First of all I have to say a massive thank-you to Joseph and Xavier for giving me this incredible opportunity and being extremely easy and fun to work alongside. You guys are awesome and I can’t wait to see the directions both the program and the hotel go with your hard work. For those that … Continue reading
The Great Dane
Morten is arguably the most successful Danish long distance runner of recent years and is a multiple time national champion, winning titles on the track (1500m and 5000m), road (10km) and cross country. In 2009 he won the Nordic Cross Country Championship and in 2011 he finished in 10th place at the European Cross Country … Continue reading
Get to know: Celia Taylor
Get to know: Celia Taylor Over the busy Christmas and New Year’s period the Yaya Village Hotel has been happy to host England International middle distance runner Celia Taylor and her husband Richard. A member of Coventry Godiva Athletics Club she has run 2:01.16 for 800m and 4:10.41 for 1500m. Celia is coached by Vince … Continue reading
Getting to Know Julia,
Yaya Village is excited to be hosting Julia Bleasdale, one of the top international distance runners of 2012, for a 6-week winter training block. A native of London, Julia finished 8th in the both the 5k and 10k at this year’s Olympic Games, running personal bests of 15:02.00 and 30:55.63 along the way. She is currently preparing for the international cross country season and will debut in Edinburgh on January 5, with sights on the World Cross Country Championship in March. Julia is a great addition to Yaya Village and has become good friends with Dan and Becky, who interview her below… Continue reading
The 11th Annual Great Ethiopian Run
Last weekend, Yaya Village was thrilled to be involved with the Great Ethiopian Run, Africa’s largest road race. In the 11 years since Haile Gebrselassie won the first GER, the annual 10k through the streets of Addis Ababa has evolved into one of the most well loved and highly attended events each year. After Friday…