Nigeria: Gov Mbah Runs 10km As East Africans

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Saturday, participated within the 1st Enugu Metropolis Worldwide Marathon, finishing the 10km street race in 45 minutes, whereas East African athletes cleared the primary, second, and third positions within the elite 42km full marathon.

Within the elite males’s class, Ken Kopos of Kenya, ran the 42km in 2 hours: 22 minutes. 32secs to set the course document and claimed the star prize of $15,000, whereas his compatriots, Steve Baswey and Bernard Sang positioned second and third, respectively, to earn themselves $10,000 and $5,000, accordingly.

Within the feminine elite class, Shaoline Chepriroi of Kenya completed in 2 hours: 44 minutes. 37secs to clinch the premium prize of $15,000 whereas Tilahu Birul of Ethiopia was second in 2:45:10 and walked away with $10,000 prize cash with Rita Busiengy third in 2:47:17 and earned $5,000 for her effort.

Nigeria’s Blessing Shambo accomplished the 42 kilometres in 2:48:04 and positioned fourth. She was rewarded with N1 million, whereas Charity Agofure and Elizabeth Pam completed in 2:55:03 and three:01:45 to clinch the second and third costs, respectively, within the Nigerian elite runners class. Agofure and Pam bought N750,000 and N500,000, accordingly, for his or her efforts.

Davou Gyang completed in 2:29:03 to emerge Nigeria’s finest within the elite class, beating compatriot Boyi Nyango with simply three seconds, whereas Iliya Pam positioned third. They bought money prizes of N1 million, N750,000, and N500,000, respectively.

Lydia Akusho, Esther Afigbo, and Mwantiti Davou got here first, second, and third, respectively within the girls’s class of the 10km Street Race, whereas Francis James, Iliya Raymond, and Boyi Gang positioned first, second, and third, respectively, within the male class.

Whereas congratulating the winners and individuals, Mbah assured all individuals of continued enchancment of the street race occasion, noting that Enugu Metropolis Worldwide Marathon was in keeping with his administration’s imaginative and prescient to place Enugu State because the premier vacation spot for funding, enterprise, tourism, and for dwelling.

“What we have now simply witnessed is a spectacular occasion. It’s a testomony to the ability of sports activities. Keep in mind that I advised you all that participated in our final yr’s Enugu Metropolis Half Marathon that we’re going to make the Enugu Metropolis Worldwide Marathon, a world occasion. Have we not achieved that?

“The Worldwide Marathon attracted elite runners throughout Africa. We’ve lengthy distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. Subsequent yr, we’re going to entice elite runners from the world over, not simply Africa. Our goal is to make the Enugu Metropolis Worldwide Marathon a serious spotlight within the calendar of the World Athletic. The world will probably be watching.

“In the meantime, what you’re witnessing is just not a happenstance. It’s connecting the dots. Once we mentioned that we had been going to draw three million guests yearly and make Enugu state the premier vacation spot for tourism, these are all a part of the dots. Sports activities, for us, is past recreation. It’s a severe enterprise.

“We’re going to ensure that by way of our sporting occasion, we’re going to nurture skills, desires will probably be born, objectives will probably be achieved, and skills will blossom. We will entice numerous companies. Meaning our enterprise will thrive. Folks will come to Enugu and they’ll spend their cash,” Mbah acknowledged

He recommended and thanked the Commissioner for Youth and Sports activities, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu and his group in addition to the consultants led by Yetunde Olopade, who’s the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports activities Administration Restricted, in addition to the safety companies, amongst others for placing up an excellent present.