Again, East Africans dominate Okpekpe race in Edo state (photos)
For the fourth consecutive year, athletes from East Africans have again shown their supremacy in long distance race on the continent as they dominated this year’s 10-kilometre Okpekpe International Mountain Race which held on Saturday, May 7.
In this year’s edition of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF)-recognised (Bronze category) race, athletes from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda came first, second and third respectively in the male category, while athletes from Kenya came first and second in the female category, and an Ethiopian came third.
Hundreds of participating local, national and international athletes took off at the starting line at about 8:45 am, while Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who led the VIP category, took of at the starting line 30 minutes later.
Participant during the Okpekpe race. Photo: Michael Obasa
Assorted fruits and bottle water were provided by organisers at strategic points to refresh the athletes.
Winning the gold prize of $15,000 was Simon Cheproch from Kenya. He breasted the finishing line at 29.48 minutes.
One of the foreign participants that finished the 10km road race. Photo: Michael Obasa
The silver medal was clinched by a Tanzanian, Ishmael Jumagalet at a time of 29.50 minutes. He went home with $10,000, while Timothy Tonch from Uganda who breasted the line at the line at 29.54 minutes. He won the $7000 prize money for bronze.
In the female international category, Pollin Njeru and Ndiema Esther, both Kenyans, came first and second respectively while Buzunesh Gudeta of Ethiopia came third.
Some of the people who came out to watch the participants. Photo: Michael Obasa.
In the Nigeria category (male), Adamu Shehu Muazu (32.36 mins), Stephen Joshua (32.37 mins) and Emmanuel Gyang (32.39 mins) came first, second and third respectively. They also went home with N250,000, N100,000 and N80,000 respectively in the male category.
Deborah Pam, Sarah Olamide Oluwasuen (39:26mins) and Elisabeth Nuhu Bawa (39.32 mins)came first, second and third. They went home with N250, 000, N100, 000 and N80,000 respectively, in the female category.
One of the participants prepares for the race. Photo: Michael Obasa
In his speech, Governor Adams Oshiomhole who also ran the entire 10 kilometres with some other VIPs, thanked organisers of the event and members of the community for supporting the event.
“I feel very fulfilled and am very excited that I am able to participate. I have shown that I can do 10 kilometres. But this is the last time I will be here as a sitting governor. But God willing, I hope to participate in all future editions of Okpekpe Race, so long God gives me good health,” he said.
He urged the incoming administration to sustain the event.
Some of the participants getting set for the race. Photo: Michael Obasa.
A leading community member, Barrister (Mrs.) Grace Egbagbe, noted that the yearly event has put Okpekpe on the world map. She thanked Governor Adams Oshiomhole for opening up the community with the construction of the road.
Several corporate and non governmental organisations, participated in the event.
The 2016 edition of the Okpekpe Mountain Race received unprecedented media coverage, with SuperSport beaming it live to the world for the first time.
Check out more photos below:
World wrapperman poses with some of the contestants before the start of the race. Photo: Michael Obasa
Some of the contestants getting their number tag on their kits for the race. Photo: Michael Obasa.
The starting point of the Okpekpe race. Photo: Michael Obasa.
Another set of participants getting ready for the race. Photo: Michael Obasa.
The contestants were all ready for action. Photo: Michael Obasa.
Disabled athletes were also involved in the race. Photo: Michael Obasa.
Some of the foreign athletes arriving for the Okpekpe race. Photo: Michael Obasa.
One of the participants during the race in Edo state. Photo: Michael Obasa.
And the race began… Photo: Michael Obasa
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