Cross River State’s Ismail Sadjo, who was beaten by Plateau State’s Francis James Musa, in the Nigerians’ category at the just-concluded Okpekpe 10km Road Race, has promised his fans that he would reclaim the title next year.
Musa led the Nigerian male category with a time of 30:46 minutes ahead of Bala Musa and the defending champion, Ismael Sadjo, who recorded 31:05 minutes and 31:15 minutes respectively.
In the women’s category, PatienceMwanvwang, claimed the top position with a time of 37: 07 minutes while Yilmunen Nicholas and Blessing Solomon came second and third respectively.
For their efforts, the first five finishers in the men and women’s categories of the Nigerian class got N500,000, N300,000, N200,000, N120,000 and N80,000 respectively.
Speaking after the race, Sadjo said he was prepared to continue his dominance of the Okpekpe Race, adding, however, that things did not work as he planned.
“The race is getting tougher by the day and one must be ready to surmount the challenges to be top at the end.
“I did my best, but things didn’t work because of a few mistakes. But I will come back stronger next year,” he said.
Kenya’s Edward Pingua was the first elite athlete to finish the 10th Okpekpe Road Race with a time of 29 minutes and 31 seconds.
The 22-year-oldPingua was followed to the finish line by his compatriot, Isaac Kimpemboi, who made it in 29:36 minutes, while 2015 champion, Kario Alex Olotiptip, another Kenyan, came third with 29:50.
In the women’s category, Gladys Kwamboka confirmed the East-Africans’ prowess in the middle and long-distance races as she came first with a time of 33:05 minutes ahead of her compatriots Regina Wambui (33:38) and Sheila Cherotich (34:27) who came second and third respectively.
The top five finishers in both categories got $15,000, $8,000, $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000.
In the Okpekpe indigenes men’s category, James Raphael, Nasiru Abdullahi and Odamah Innocent finished first to third respectively, while Omueyaki Success, 13-year-old Okponobi Monica and Omodu Favour took the first three positions in that order.
