Ethiopians dominate Okpekpe Road Race

• As Obaseki, Oshiomhole Others Complete 10km

Ethiopia’s Leul Gabriesialse and Gabru Azemra, yesterday, won the men and females’ categories of ‎this year’s 10 kilometres Okpekpe Road Race, which took place at Etsako East Local Council of Edo State.

In the men’s category, Gabriesialse won with a time of 29 minutes 28 seconds. Coming in second and third positions were also Ethiopians, Dawit Fikadi and Derelict Reta, in 29 minutes 34 seconds and 32 minutes 23 seconds respectively.

In the female cadre, Kenya’s Veronicah Maina finished second, while Ethiopia’s Haven Haiu came third. For their efforts, both Gabriesialse, Azemra won cash prizes of $15,000, as $10,000, and $7,000 were awarded to the first runners up and second runners up respectively in both the male and female categories.

In the Nigeria’s category, Deborah Fari from Plateau State, came first with a record time of 38mins15secs, as Elizabeth Fawa of Nasarawa State came second in 38 min 41 secs, while Rose Akesho, also from Plateau came third after finishing in 38 secs 55 secs.

Other categories of runners include those for cancer, orphanages, women empowerment and running against cultism.‎

However, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, yesterday, completed the 10km race in 86.4 minutes to fulfill his promise to run for “We Care Trust Charity.”

Also completing the race were the Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, who ran in 86 minutes 7 minutes and former governor Adams Oshiomhole in 87 minutes 3 seconds.

Speaking at the occasion, Obaseki said he would set up a sport commission backed up by the law to reposition sporting activities in the state.

“The focus is strictly on ensuring that there is development of sports in Edo State. I decided to run for the orphanage. We have more than 30 of them in Edo State. Some chose to run for cancer to raise money for the cure, some students of AAU decided to run against cultism.

“It was a challenge getting to Okpekpe before it was constructed. Today, we have a free and motorable road. We have international people who have come to run in Okpekpe,” he said.