The history of the sport may be traced back to military and school organizations in 1897.

[1] The ability of East African athletes was announced to the world in the 1960 Olympics as barefooted Abebe Bikila took the gold medal in the Marathon.

The organization is also responsible for selecting representatives to other world championship events.

[2] On 14 November 2018, double Olympic champion Derartu Tulu succeeded Haile Gebrselassie as president of EAF.

[3] On 22 December 2024, following an abysmal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics under Derartu Tulu's leadership, two-time Olympic silver medalist Sileshi Sihine was elected president of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, replacing Tulu.