Hotel Accommodations
The quality and number of hotels in Hawassa has increased significantly in recent years. We have carefully researched all hotels in Hawassa and will only use the best available.
Prior to the race, our staff will inspect the hotels to ensure that each participant has a clean, standard room. While the Haile Resort (pictured above), the official host hotel of the Haile Gebrselassie Marathon, is one of the finest in Hawassa, it does not have the capacity for all our participants to stay there.
Priority will be given to those who have selected the tours with a longer duration (Omo Valley, Historic North, etc.) Photos of various Hawassa Hotels can be found HERE.
Food & Drink
As during the tour, all meals will be provided during the race weekend. Western type meals will be served with some optional Ethiopian side dishes. The area surrounding Hawassa is fertile farmland and fresh fruits, vegetables, and livestock are readily available. Lake Hawassa is abundant with fish which will also supplement our menu choices. Our consultant chef will design a menu that incorporates ingredients purchased from local farmers and fishermen whenever possible.
Breakfasts will include eggs, locally baked breads, fruit, porridge (oatmeal) and yogurt. Ethiopia is renowned for the quality of its coffee and tea and both drinks will be served at most meals.
On Saturday night, prior to the race, the Haile Resort will host a pasta dinner for all tour participants. Pasta dishes are popular in Ethiopia and local cooks and chefs are very familiar with the preparation of a variety of dishes.
Following the race, on Sunday afternoon, all tour participants will enjoy a barbecue. This will be a great time to share your Ethiopian race experiences with fellow competitors. We'll enjoy grilled beef and mutton supplied by the local farms and fresh fish from Lake Hawassa.
NOTE: Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and Muslims do not eat pork, so it is not widely available anywhere in Ethiopia and will not be included on our menus.
Bottled drinking water will be available to all tour participants for the duration of the tour and race weekend. During the race, drinking water will be provided in sealed, plastic "pouches" or bags at all water stations along the course.
Soft drinks, beer, and wine may be purchased from local vendors. While recovery and energy drinks will be provided during and immediately following the race, these drinks are not available for purchase in Ethiopia. If you would like sports drinks on the tour, feel free to bring your own supply in powdered form, which can be mixed with bottled water.
Likewise, energy bars (PowerBars, Clif Bars) and gels are not available for purchase in Ethiopia. We will provide them at certain fuel stations during and immediately after the race, but if you require more, please bring your own supply from home.