The Nation Newspaper

Tag: road race

  • Okpekpe monarch seeks permanent features for road race

    The Onwueweko of Okpekpe, His Royal Highness, Apa, Peter Abalumhe Osigbemeh, yesterday called on the Edo State Government and organisers of the 7th Okpekpe International 10 Kilometer Road Race, to put in place permanent features of the tournament that tourists would see even after the end of every edition.

    According to him, tourists and holiday seekers who visit the kingdom with the high hope of eye-catching features of the road race, are always surprised that there is no relic of the event after it has been held for several times.

    Speaking with The Nation during the tournament in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the monarch said: “We expect that there should be featured at any given time to show that this is the venue, where this event is always taking place. What I am saying is that not everything should be removed from the venue. This is because people have been coming they want to know where this event is taking place but there is nothing to show them in the arena.”

    He recalled that he has been calling for the building of a mini-sport facility in the venue, stressing that building a permanent structure would be of great benefit to the tournament.

    On her part, the Ogieavhianwu, HRH, Etokhana Jackson, commended the organisers of the race, whom he said have always improved on their yearly outing.

    The former Vice Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon. Edward Imhanobe, noted that besides the popularity that the community has garnered from the road race, it does not bring any direct benefit to the people. He urged indigenes of Okpekpe and investors from other places to take advantage of the road race to build hotel accommodation in the community.

    He also called on the state government to site campus of one of their universities in Okpekpe in order to optimize the benefits from the road race.

  • RevolutionPlus to bankroll first international Road Race

    History will be made in the capital city of Ogun State, Abeokuta on November 3, 2019, as the city hosts her first international road race in the history of the great rock city.  Revolution Plus Property Development Company, a renowned real estate giant in Africa is the headline sponsor and Abeokuta as the host City.

    Mr Bamidele Onalaja, MD Revolution Plus Property Development Company, expressed enthusiasm and that of his team in bringing a mind-blowing experience to the people of Ogun State.

    According to the event’s Media Officer, Gbenga Davies, the RevolutionPlus Abeokuta 10k Race will begin at Onikolobo Iyana Oloke junction through the scenic Omida Market, leading up to Ake Junction, through to the Iconic Itoko around Saje, with the historic Alake’s Palace as the finish point.

    Davies, noted at a press statement on Wednesday, that, the route of the Abeokuta 10k Race has been measured by the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) certified Measurer, Norrie Williamson, and the race has been awarded its route certification by Aims.

    The CEO, of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, project consultant of the Revolution Plus 10km Race, Bukola Olopade, on Wednesday in Abeokuta said that the historic event is an international race opened to all comers, whilst the registration of runners will commence in June 2019. Olopade affirmed that the Abeokuta 10-kilometre Race is targeted at changing the lifestyle of the people of Ogun state generally and the race is not just for people in Abeokuta.

    Gbenga Davies, said further in the press statement, that the Nilayo Sports Management boss also confirmed that in his discussion with the Ogun state Governor-Elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, a few days ago, he got a huge boost with Abiodun promising full commitment towards increasing the tourism potentials of the state.

    The Governor-Elect also encouraged Olopade to look into a full Marathon for the state as he has done in Lagos.

  • Edo agog for Okpepe International Road Race

    All roads lead to Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government of Edo State today for the sixth edition of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race.

    It is the first and only road race in Nigeria that has been granted full membership of Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and recognised as one of the prestigious road races in the world. It is also the only race with an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label status in West Africa.

    The 10km race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing in conjunction with the Edo State Athletics Association and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, will start in Apama Road and ends in Okpepe near Auchi.

    A total of $112,000 is on offer as prize money to the top eight finishers in the men and women’s elite race with the winner in each gender category going home with $20,000, while $13,000 and $9,000 respectively will go to the second and third placed finishers.

    The prizes for 4th to 8th place finishers in each gender category are $6,500, $3,000, $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively.

    This year’s event which will have over 3000 participants, will see Nigeria athletes competing for honours with world-class runners from Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, Israel, Bahrain, Morocco and all Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) member federations, with the military and para-military not left out.

    The world-class team of elite athletes expected includes World’s fastest woman over 10km so far this year at 30mins 57secs, Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei of Kenya and Mary Munanu who is the fourth fastest woman over the distance this year courtesy the 31:34 she ran last January to finish third in the Valencia 10km road race.

    Other athletes that will participate in this historic race includes Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn, third best ranked man in the 10km race so far this year as well as 2016 men and women winners, Kenya’s Simon Cheprot of Kenya and Polline Wanjiku respectively.

    Josphat Kiprono Menjo, the man who holds the fourth fastest time in history of the 10km (27:04) and his Kenyan compatriot, Ronoh Timothy Kiplagat who has broken 28 minutes (27:52) over the distance this year will also be at the race.

  • Ecobank CEO praises Okpekpe road race upgrade

    Ecobank CEO praises Okpekpe road race upgrade

    The Managing Director/CEO, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Charles Kie, has commended Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organisers of 10 kilometre Okpekpe International Road Race on the recent upgrade of the Road Race to silver Labe. The upgrade was done by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

    He said the elevation does not only lend credence to the standard and popularity of the Race, but also represents a milestone in the development of sports in Nigeria.

    Kie said the upgrade further justifies Ecobank’s consistent support to the annual event. He reiterated that the Okpekpe’s vision of a top quality competition that affords top athletes from across Africa the opportunity to compete and socialize ties with the bank’s pan-African posture.

    He maintained that the bank supports and encourages creativity and excellence among Africans, especially the young people, who are the future of the continent.

    In his words “we are delighted to be a strong part of the success story of the Okpekpe Road Race, especially on this latest elevation to the Silver Label Race, which is the first to be so recognised in West Africa”.

    The annual Okpekpe international 10km Road Race has had Ecobank Nigeria as its major banking partner. The Road Race is the first and only road race in Nigeria that has been granted full membership of Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and recognised as one of the prestigious road races in the world.

  • Okpekpe Road Race organiser hails Ambode, Access Bank

    Okpekpe Road Race organiser hails Ambode, Access Bank

    Organiser of the Okpekpe 10km international road race, Mike Itemuagbor has congratulated Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Access Bank for successfully hosting the second edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon last Saturday in Lagos.

    “I congratulate Governor Ambode for promising and delivering a world class marathon and Access Bank for sponsoring the event,” said Itemuagbor whose race, the Okpekpe 10km international road race is the first and so far only road race in Nigeria to get an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) label. I am particularly delighted that the second edition of the Lagos Marathon was a remarkable improvement on the first edition and hope subsequent editions would even be much better,” he further said and harped on the health implications of running.

    “Health they say is wealth. A healthy nation will definitely be productive and by extension prosperous. And experts have not ceased to emphasise on the benefits of exercising to the body. By organising this marathon, the governor is not only promoting sports and tourism in Lagos state but also ensuring he governs over a healthy community of people.”

    Itemuagbor also hopes Governor Ambode will strive to take the marathon to the next level by making it the first full marathon in West Africa to get an IAAF label.

    “That will make Nigeria the only country in Africa to have two IAAF label races. With the conclusion of the second edition of the Lagos Marathon, organisers of the event can apply for a bronze label for the race and I am confident their application will be favourably considered.”

    Meanwhile, the fifth Okpekpe 10km international road race will hold on Saturday, May 13 in Okpekpe, Edo State.

  • Okpekpe international 10km road race: Ndiema replaces injured Habtegebrel

    Okpekpe international 10km road race: Ndiema replaces injured Habtegebrel

    Top Kenya long distance and road runner, Esther Chemtai Ndiema has replaced Shitane Habtegebrel in the list of elite athletes for next month’s fourth Okpekpe International 10-km Road Race in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo state.

    Dare Esan,spokesman for the IAAF bronze label race says the Bahrainian, Habtegebrel pulled out because of injury.

    “Habtegebrel, a silver level running athlete is injured after she has been confirmed for the race and our elite athletes manager, Walter Abmayr has promptly replaced her with the Kenyan Ndiema,” said Esan who further revealed that Ndiema is a gold level running athlete.

    “This has brought the number of gold level running athletes for the race from four to five women following the confirmation of Pascalia Kipkoech, Maryane Wanjiru and Polline Wanjiku from Kenya and Ethiopia’s Buzunesh Gudeta for the race. These are all gold level running athletes,” said a delighted Esan.

    “‘It’s obvious we are organising a bronze label event with the requirements for a gold label race. This is a demonstration of our determination to improve to a silver label rating next year. This is the dream of Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM), organisers of the only IAAF label race in Nigeria nay West Africa and one of only two in Africa this year,” he further said.

    Esan also revealed that IAAF is taking keen interest in the race, which is the second of four labelled 10-km races in the world this year after the IAAF Gold

    Label World’s Best 10-km race in San Juan,Puerto Rico in February and the IAAF Gold Label Ottawa 10-km race in Ottawa,Canada on May 28 and IAAF Bronze Label B.A.A. 10-km race in Boston, USA in June.

    “Since it is a label race which means it is one of the leading road races in the world, the IAAF autoamtically takes interest in how it is organised and we are delighted to announce that we are ready to organise a benchmark edition this year.

    “The world governing body for the sport has sent a list of requirements that must be followed. The race will be organised in accordance with the IAAF Competition Rules and that of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria who are providing the technical patnership for the race with our international elite athletes manager, Abmayr.

    “Our race director, Zakari Amodu will ensure that all Officials and Competitors are fully informed regarding IAAF Competition Rules,” revealed Esan.

  • Okpekpe road race plans prizes for North Ibie athletes

    Okpekpe road race plans prizes for North Ibie athletes

    • Organiser to introduce training camp at Okpekpe 

    The organiser of the 4th Okpekpe 10 kilometre road race, Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM) has  planned to reward North Ibie athletes with various prizes, Sportinglife learnt at the weekend.

    According to an insider, who spoke to Sportinglife’s Abuja correspondent in confidence, said first prize of N150,000 ,second prize of N100,000 and third prize N50,000  will be available for  winners in the male and female categories.

    The North Ibie comprises of Okpekpe Clan and the Three Ibie Clan : Imiegba, Imiakebu and Itsukwi  of Etasko East Local Government Area, Edo State.

    These novel prizes, said the source, are to pave way for these communities that are of  the same historical background besides their common  Ibie  language, to also benefit from the goldmine.

    “We are coming up with these new prizes for our people to also benefit from the  road race,” said the highly placed source.

    Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM) is also planning to introduce a camp in Okpekpe where the national athletes could camp for training.

    This, according to the source, is also aimed at spurring Okpekpe Youths that are interested in the sport to also practice.

    In this year’s race, the competition will begin with the take off of the international athletes, the national athletes while the North Ibie category follows.

    Sportinglife gathered that besides the fact that the organiser has always beefed security, PSM will this year tag participants in the last category in order to checkmate malpractice.

    Sportinglife’s source said: “Normally, once the race takes off no vehicle or bike moves again. We will have to accredit them at the start point with a different label before they take off. ”

    Sportinglife also gathered that the SuperSports which usually holds on the eve of the road race will this year hold at Otsele Primary School, Okpekpe.