Thursday, July 19, 2007

Mike Long

Earlier this year in January, I had the opportunity to talk with Mike Long several times on the telephone. As the elite athlete coordinator for Arizona's Rock and Roll Marathon, he was the point of contact for my relative Tariku Aboset who came over from Ethiopia to take part in that marathon.

Mike was very pleasant to talk to each time I called his mobile phone, and he went out of his way several times to make sure Tariku was able to talk to me during his visit in Arizona. I knew that Mike hosted many athletes for the race so I wondered how he could manage to accommodate each one with this level of attention.

After the marathon was completed and Tariku returned back to Ethiopia, I meant to write a note to Mike Long to thank him for the excellent hospitality he provided. However, I never got around to it and after a while I felt it was too late to contact him regarding a race months ago. Few moments ago, I was sad to learn that Mike Long passed away yesterday.

May his soul rest in peace.
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UPDATE:
A memorial Service for Mike Long will be held
Friday, July 27th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Mission Point Park
San Diego, Ca.
In lieu of flowers, Mike's family requests that you honor his life by making a contribution to the Entoto Foundation at 5452 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121.
Mike helped found the Entoto Foundation in 2006, and served on its Board of Directors. The Foundation helps deliver medical assistance to Ethiopians who do not have access to appropriate treatment or surgery. The Foundation will serve as a fitting legacy to Mike's love of East Africa and his compassionate nature in always thinking of others... more
UPDATE:
THE FOLLOWING ATHLETES WERE HERE AT GLOBAL ATHLETICS OFFICE IN ADDIS TO PAY THEIR TRIBUTE TO MIKE AND SEND THEIR DEEP CONDOLENCE TO HIS FAMILY
THE ATMOSPHERE WAS VERY SOMBER AND ATHLETES WEPT OPENLY
BELAY WELASHA
DEARATU TULU
GEZAHGEN ABERA
DR YILMA BERTA
TIRUNESH DIBABA
SILESHI SIHENE
EJIGAYEHU DIBABA
MARCOS GENETI
SINTAYHEU EJIGU
BERHANU ALEMU
TEKESTE KEBEDE
MOGES TAYE
GIRMA TOLA
HALEFOM ABEBE
HIRUT ABERA
HAJI ADILO
EYERUSALEM KUMA
ASHEBIR DEMISU
ABERASH TEGENGE
AIDA TADESSE
ELIAS KEBEDE
GOD GIVE YOU THE STERENGTH AT THIS MOMENT

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