By Ben Ogbemudia Abuja
The eighth edition of the annual Okpekpe 10km road race will hold on May 28.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who made this known at a press conference held yesterday at the Government House, Benin to herald the competition which started 13 years ago in the rusty community of Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, said that plans are on to institutionalize the 10 km Silver label race.

Shaibu explained that the two years break in the Okpekpe Road Race was a result of the Covid 19 pandemic that crippled commercial and sports activities across the globe, noting that the road race has come to stay.

“A board of trustees is being put in place so that the race will outlive this government and indeed, the organisers, Padmozu Sports. It will also become part of the Edo State Government’s annual sports calendar, “ the Deputy Governor said.

”We are delighted to announce to you that the 10klm Okpekpe Road Race is coming back bigger and stronger on May 28, 2022, after the COVID-19 outbreak that claimed over 3m lives worldwide. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic ensured that, like many other label races and sports across the globe, our event could not hold in 2020 and 2021”, Shaibu said.

On their part, Organisers of Okpekpe Road Race, and Chairman of Padmozi Sports, Mr Mike Itemuagbor and the Technical Consultant, Mr Zak Amodu stated that the race which over the years has attracted international recognition will be better organised this year.

They both thanked the Edo State Government led by His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Comrade Shaibu, and other co-sponsors for their support.

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“Okpekpe Road Race is an annual event in Edo State, Nigeria. It is a 10 Kilometre Road Race over hills and tarred roads, starting from Apana Road and ending in Okpekpe town. The 2018 edition of the race featured participants from Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, Israel, Bahrain, Morocco and Nigeria”.

Kenyan Kibet Alex won the men’s category of the 2018 edition with a finishing time of 29 minutes 46 seconds. Simon Chepat was second in a time of 30 minutes 29 seconds, while Ronoh Timothy placed third, finishing in a time of 30 minutes 39 seconds. Yani Dera Dida won the female category.

Okpekpe Road Race is the first road race in Nigeria and West Africa to be granted a label by the World Athletics body and designated as one of the leading road races around the world, but could not hold in 2020 and 2021 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted the international sporting calendar.

It is an international race that involves the invitation and participation of foreign athletes and their managers as well as the technical delegates from the World Athletics body.