EDMONTON - The winters are bitterly cold, there are no medical benefits to be had, and the only money Aster Demissie has managed to earn, she's earned by running in road races.

Yet the tiny 22-year-old refugee from Ethiopia breaks into a quick smile when the conversation spins around to her new life in Edmonton.

"I am happy. Canada is a free country."

Demissie arrived here for the 2001 world track and field championships and let it be known that she did not want to return to her homeland. She was granted refugee status and has since applied for Canadian citizenship.

Her hope is to run for Canada in the 2008 Olympics.

Until then, there are other races to be run.

"Really, her only skill at this time is her running. That's her source of income," said coach Glen Playfair. "That's why, if she feels an ache or a pain, it's scary for her. She doesn't even have money for health care. Fortunately, I know people who have been able to get her some free attention as far as active relief for muscle tension."

But she is happy. And free. And she is determined to keep on running.

"I love to run," said Demissie, who hooked up with the Edmonton Thunder track club.

One of six children who grew up on an farm in a troubled land where poverty and oppression are still taking a toll, Demissie said she misses her family but not her old life.

She is an Oromo, and the ethnic group that has been in a constant struggle with the government.

"Being an Oromo and an athlete was hard for her," said her sponsor Kassech Oli. "She couldn't go to Europe or America. It was hard to get a visa -- and running is her life."

Last year, Demissie, who finished 14th at the 10,000-metre event at the world championships, earned roughly $5,500. This season, more races have been added to her calendar -- including Sunday's inaugural Canadian half marathon championship which will begin and end at Hawrelak Park.

The winner will receive $3,500, if the winner is a Canadian citizen. A cash prize of $1,000 has been set aside for international competitors.

Next weekend, Demissie will go to

Ottawa to compete in the national 10-kilometre road race. Last year, she ran the 10K on the Saturday, then ran the half marathon the next day. She won the 21-kilometre event.

"It definitely takes its toll," Playfair said. "You don't end up getting the ideal performances, but she's running better this year."

Eventually, when the citizenship comes through, sponsorships should be available which would increase her earnings. Demissie will also be able to travel to bigger events which would translate into bigger prize pools and stiffer fields.

"Most of the local running events don't offer much money ... not the kind of money that can sustain someone, unless you could run one every weekend," Playfair said.

"The other thing is that in order for her to achieve her goal she needs to race against a level of competition that's going to help her run faster times."

jireland@thejournal.canwest.com