For the third time in eight editions, Ethiopians have emerged winners in the men and women’s categories after Jasin Hadi (29.05) and Anchinaiu Dessie outran their Kenyan challengers, in yesterday’s Okpekpe 10km Road Race.
Hadi’s 29.95s clocking is the third fastest winning time in the history of the race. He won ahead of Kenyan duo of Elvis Cheboi (29.20s) and Bereket Nego (29.30s).
For his effort, Hadi went home with the $13,000 top prize money. In the women’s race, Dessie’s 33.09s effort fetched her $13,000.
For the Nigerians in the race, Ismael Sadjo (31.12s) and Rose Akusho (36.40s) came home first in in the male and female’s cadres respectively.
Organiser of the race, Mike Itemuagbor, expressed joy at the successful conduct of the race.
“After a COVID-19 induced two-year absence, the race has successfully come back bigger,” a delighted Itemuagbor, said.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State Philips Shaibu, who ran in the VIP race, also expressed delight at the turnout of athletes, officials and the locals.
“The race is a World Athletics elite label event, and I am happy it is back again,” he said.
Shaibu, who reiterated that the state government and organisers of the race were determined to raise the standard of the event, added: “This is the first race in Africa to be granted a label status by World Athletics, which makes it one of the world-class races across the globe.
“The target now is to get upgraded to a World Athletics elite platinum label. Edo is a pacesetter state and the heartbeat of Nigeria and we are determined to always lead in sports.”