Kenyan Daniel Ebenyo on Saturday emerged winner in style as he dethroned former champion Yasin Haji of Ethiopia at the 10th Okpekpe 10km International Road Race in record time.
Ebenyo crossed the finish line in 28.28 to set the new course record at the event.
“I’m happy to win here, it was a different but difficult race for me having to challenge a former champion. I’m also happy to win with a new course record which was surprising to me on a wet day,” an elated Ebenyo said after his triumph.
Another Kenyan, Brian Kwemoi, was second in 28.40, while last year’s winer Ethiopian Yasin Hagi returned in 29:34 to place third.
The women’s race produced a new champion and new course record as well as, Kazakhstan’s Carolina Kipkirui won in 32:38, while Kenya’s Ludwina Chakintic (32:53) and Ethiopia’s Betukan Welder (32:58) emerged second and third respectively.
Gwom Gyang returned in 32:52 to emerge first Nigerian in the male event. Iliya Pam (33:14) and Success Fater (34:26) were second and third respectively.
Joy Abiye (37:56) was first Nigerian in the female event, while Anita Ohas (48:48) and Faith Jegede (49:00) were second and third respectively.
Winners Ebenyo and Kipkirui received $20,000 each.
The race flagged off at 8:30am on a rainy morning and progressed with over 2,000 runners as some of them had their first feel of the marathon.
The 10th edition of the gold label race proved to be a carnival of sorts for the inhabitants of Okpekpe and environs, as they trooped out in large numbers to cheer the runners along the route.
Race officials attributed the new course records in the male and female events to new innovations that were introduced to enhance efficiency through effective communication at various stages of the race.
Organiser of the race, Mike Itemuagbor, said, “More sponsors would be encouraged to buy into the project and we are happy to have some of our friends join us to attain perfection, like other gold label races elsewhere in the world.”
Kenyan Daniel Ebenyo on Saturday emerged winner in style as he dethroned former champion Yasin Haji of Ethiopia at the 10th Okpekpe 10km International Road Race in record time.
Ebenyo crossed the finish line in 28.28 to set the new course record at the event.
“I’m happy to win here, it was a different but difficult race for me having to challenge a former champion. I’m also happy to win with a new course record which was surprising to me on a wet day,” an elated Ebenyo said after his triumph.
Another Kenyan, Brian Kwemoi, was second in 28.40, while last year’s winer Ethiopian Yasin Hagi returned in 29:34 to place third.
The women’s race produced a new champion and new course record as well as, Kazakhstan’s Carolina Kipkirui won in 32:38, while Kenya’s Ludwina Chakintic (32:53) and Ethiopia’s Betukan Welder (32:58) emerged second and third respectively.
Gwom Gyang returned in 32:52 to emerge first Nigerian in the male event. Iliya Pam (33:14) and Success Fater (34:26) were second and third respectively.
Joy Abiye (37:56) was first Nigerian in the female event, while Anita Ohas (48:48) and Faith Jegede (49:00) were second and third respectively.
Winners Ebenyo and Kipkirui received $20,000 each.
The race flagged off at 8:30am on a rainy morning and progressed with over 2,000 runners as some of them had their first feel of the marathon.
The 10th edition of the gold label race proved to be a carnival of sorts for the inhabitants of Okpekpe and environs, as they trooped out in large numbers to cheer the runners along the route.
Race officials attributed the new course records in the male and female events to new innovations that were introduced to enhance efficiency through effective communication at various stages of the race.
Organiser of the race, Mike Itemuagbor, said, “More sponsors would be encouraged to buy into the project and we are happy to have some of our friends join us to attain perfection, like other gold label races elsewhere in the world.”
