Kenya, Ethiopia athletes win Okpekpe race 

Kenya’s Alex Kibet defied the heavy downpour on Saturday to emerge winner of the 6th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race held at Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Sportinglife.ng reports.

The 10km history road race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing in conjunction with the Edo State Athletics Association and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, saw Kibet win the male elite category in 29 minutes, 47 seconds. His compatriots, Simon Cheprat came second in a time of 30 minutes, 29 seconds and Ronoh Kiplagat was third in a time of 30 minutes, 39 seconds.

In the female elite category, Ethiopia’s Yami Dida came first with a time of 33.01, while Kenya duo of Tuei Chebet and Kipyojei Chemtai finished in second and third place in 33.33 and 34.24 respectively.

The winners of both male and female elite category got 20,000 dollar, while the second and third place athletes got 13,000 dollar and 9,000 dollar respectively.

In the Nigeria Elite Male athlete category, Emmanuel Gyang emerged winner, while Gideon Goyet came second and Ismail Sodie came third.Deborah Pam won the Nigeria Elite Female category, Rose Akusho came second and Hudung Gyang came third.

The first, second and third male and female athlete winners in the Nigeria Elite category got one million naira, N600,000 and N400,000 respectively.

Dignitaries present at this year’s edition were the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung; immediate past Governor of Edo State,  Adams Oshiomhole; incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu; traditional rulers amongst others.