Announcement
Tolassa visits the IRC in Dallas.
Photo: Irena Tsoustas
Four months ago, the IRC in Dallas resettled Tolassa, an Ethiopian Oromo refugee. On Sunday, March 25th, he placed second in his division in the 2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon.
Tolassa, who started running as a child, was quickly recognized as he won all of his school races. His competitive running career started when he was recruited to join the Mugher Running Club, where world champions and record-holding runners have trained. Tolassa is a competitive 5k, 10k, and half marathon runner, whose personal best half-marathon time is 1:09:15.
Prior to his international debut, he was arrested and jailed for speaking out against government corruption and human rights violations perpetrated against the Oromo people.
Tolassa at Lukes Locker in Dallas. Tolassa with fitted with new running gear.
Photo: Yui Iwase
In 2005, Tolassa fled Ethiopia and went to Kenya in hopes of returning to his running career, but found life difficult there and spent his time working hard to survive.
Since arriving in Dallas at the end of November, Tolassa has reconnected with his extended family and the greater Oromo community here. With the support of his IRC caseworkers, Tolassa joined a running club where several IRC staff are also members. They run together Wednesday mornings.
Tolassa crosses the finish line at 1:22:36 in the 2018 Rock n Roll Dallas Half Marathon.
Photo: Andrew Holzschuh
Tolassa also explores Dallas by running solo. He runs around White Rock Lake, and he’s even run to Addison from his apartment in East Dallas.
With the support of the GenR: Dallas , Tolassa was able to register for the 2018 Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon and was outfitted with new running gear from Luke's Locker in Dallas.
On Sunday, March 25th, Tolassa joined 6600 other people and ran the course through Downtown Dallas. Tolassa placed 2nd in his division and 15th overall, finishing the half marathon in 1:22:36.
Watch the NBC5 News Clip here.
Join the IRC in Dallas and its GenR chapter congratulate Tolassa and celebrate his first four months in the United States! For more information, contact Catherine McGahan at [email protected].