Ethiopian duo of Jasim Haji and Dessie Adchiniau has emerged winners in both male and female categories of the 2022 edition of the Okpekpe 10 kilometers Road Race.
In the male category, Ethiopian Jasim Haji finished with a time of 29.05 to come first, while Elvis Cheboi from Kenya ran 29.20 to come second and Ethiopian Derekek Mego came third in 29.30 minutes.
In the Female Category, Ethiopian Dessie Adchiniau ran 33.09 minutes to pick the top price, Dorcas Kimeli also from Ethiopia came second in 33.33 while Abigael Jelimo from Kenya ran 33.53 minutes to come third.
In the local category, Ismail Sanjo ran 31.12 minute to come first in the male category while Rose Atuche ran 36.40 minutes to come first in the female category.
The race also witnessed VIP category led by the Edo state deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, while a one time president of the Nigeria Labour Congress Isa Aremu also joined dignitaries in the VIP category as he ran to draw awareness to welfare of workers.
Speaking with Journalists after completing the race, deputy governor Philip Shaibu noted that the state government is already using the Okpekpe road race as a pilot to domestic some sports in parts of the state.
According to him “this area, the topography is food for marathon race and so the area is in our map in camping and training of long distance runners, we will have Edo central for Gymnastics and Edo south definitely swimming. We are gradually domesticating and relocating sports to areas where they have comparative advantage and the people of that area can take advantage of opportunities those sport activities brings. In terms of tourism, this place also is an area we are looking at, not just for local athletes, but also for National and International Athletes.”
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On his part the President Athletics federation of Nigeria Mr Tonobork Okowa noted that “we at AFN are happy that the race is back, not just back, but back and better. I was scared that it will not come out well as we haven’t had it in the last 2 editions, but it came better than it used to be. More so our Nigerian Athletes have done better than they used to do, they have all come out with their personal best, beating their own records shows great improvements. And seeing the massive support from the local community, gladdens my heart, and going forward, we will strongly advocate that all states should have one road race, so we can train more athletes and shine at the international stage.”
Speaking on impact of the race in the local community, permanent Secretary Edo State Sports Commission Mrs Sabina Chikere explained that, “we have always have the Nigerian Category, but in this edition, we have the locals participating fully. They will be given medals and prices. Before the next edition we will better organize them and encourage them on more training so they can win better prices. They have the advantage, this is their community and they are familiar with the terrain so we believe that with more encouragement they will do better in time and compete even with the international athletes. ”
The top price winner of the 8th edition of the Okpekpe Race won a price of 13 thousand dollars.
