Ted Jaleta
 
Life in Saskatchewan
Immigrated in March 1982

Contributions:
Sports
Business

Ancestry: Born 24 September 1954 at Dangur, Western Province, Ethiopia

Biography
Ted Jaleta is a hope-filled man of courage and determination. He has overcome adversity and built a productive and rewarding life in Saskatchewan after being forced to flee the land of his birth.

Ted was born to run and started as a child, running the six miles to and from school. His ability was recognized in high school and he began training as a long distance runner. In 1973, he won the National Ethiopian High School 10,000-metre championship and was invited to join the Ethiopian Junior National Team. This path was designed to lead him to the Olympics, but civil war was to change his journey forever.

A man of high ideals and a strong moral code, Ted joined in non-violent protests against the Marxist dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam. Ted was wounded, imprisoned and tortured but managed to escape with another prisoner during a prison disturbance. Eventually, he made his way to the Sudan and then to Kenya.

As a refugee living in Kenya, Ted began to put his life back together. He focused on his education, graduated with a Diploma in Graphic Arts from Kenya Polytechnic and planned for the future. Following his arrival in Regina, he again focused on education as the gateway to opportunity. He took courses in general science, administration and accounting at the University of Regina and he secured a position with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Still, he wanted more from life. This led Ted to turn once again to running. Ted was the Canadian Masters 10K champion for three consecutive years and in 1997, he was ranked 7th in the world by “Runners World Magazine.” In the same year, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Sport Male Masters Athlete of the Year.

Running gives Ted a sense of accomplishment and influences his everyday life. He knows his limits but he also knows what determination, perseverance and hope can achieve as well. This is the message he shares as a motivational speaker to students and adults alike. Ted’s story is outlined in Deana Driver’s book “Never Give Up: Ted Jaleta’s Inspiring Story,” a bestseller in Canada. For more information on Ted, visit www.tedjaleta.com

  With Hazel Bonderoff, Ted has a son, Adam, who is also interested in sport. As a Certified Distance Coach, Ted coached both the University of Regina and the Regina Wheat City Track and Field Club. He currently coaches a team of runners known as the “Jaleta Pacers” in addition to facilitating running clinics. Ted and his wife Mary Jo live in Regina.

Ted volunteers his time by helping newcomers, seniors and low-income families with their tax returns, training others to do so as well.

Ted was honoured with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002 and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.



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