Kenyan Wins First Okpekpe Race, Oshiomhole Comes 131st

 

 

Governor Adams Oshiomhole (R), Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdulahi (C) and Nollywood actor Paul Obazele, leading the Okpekpe VIP Race.

The first ever International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) certified road race in Nigeria held on Saturday, at Okpekpe, Edo State attracting 700 top athletes from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
The race which covered 10 kilometres over hills and sandy paths was won by Moses Masai of Kenya, Timothy Troitich of Uganda came second and Yusuf Bitwott came third.
Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, who also participated in the race came 131^st with a time of 59 :3 seconds.
The race also featured the Minister of Sports, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi and other VIPs including top Nollywood actors.
The Governor, against the advise by organisers to compete in the VIP race which covered only 2.5km, ran the whole length of the 10,000 metres.
The Minister for Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi who thanked the Edo State Government for the commitment and vision for the event promised to ensure that that race is made an annual event.
Moses Masai of Kenya with a time of 29:39 seconds won the race while Timothy Troitich of Uganda came second with a time of 29:44 seconds and Yusuf Bitwott came third with a time of 29:50 seconds.
Rono Georgina; a Kenyan emerged first in the female category while Janet Dunbabadu from Nigeria came 6th.
The race was organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.