For the very first time, a Bahraini athlete, Fikadu Dawit, emerged the winner of the seventh Okpekpe 10km Road Race as he finished the race in 29:03 ahead of Ethiopia Berehanu Tsegu and John Kipsang from Kenya, who finished in second and third position with the time of 29:04 and 29:17 respectively.
It was all Kenya in the women’s category as Shella Chelangat outran her compatriot to emerge champion in time of 33:14. Tuidoek Jepchirchir finished second in 33:18 as Kasegn Aseta made it a complete sweep of medals for Kenya in third position with a time of 33:31.
Meanwhile, it was a sweet wedding gift for two of Nigeria’s long distance runners, Emmanuel Gyan and Deborah Pam, who got married early this month as they both emerged first from the country in both the male and women categories.
While Pam won her seventh title since inception of the race, it was a fourth consecutive victory for her husband, Gyang.
Speaking with media, Pam said she was unable to prepare very well for the race due to the arrangements for her wedding to Gyang, but was encouraged by her husband/coach.
“I feel very happy participating in this year’s race despite my late preparation because I had my marriage just this month,” she said.
“Though people didn’t believe I would still participate but I showed them that I can still retain my title which I did.”
While the Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillips Shaibu, alongside the outgoing minister of sports, Solomon Dalung, led other dignitaries in the VIP race, the former governor of the state and the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, Adams Oshiomole, was with new race tagged the APC Race.
About 26 countries participated in this year’s race.