14-yr-old runner wins 10km Owan marathon race

Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Olumide won the female race of the Fourth Edition of the annual 10km Owan marathon race with a time of one hour and 24 minutes ahead of Ruth Abu and Precious Orogun.

Abu and Orogun, also 14-year-olds from Edo and Delta states, respectively, returned with times of one hour and 27 minutes, and one hour and 37 minutes to clinch the second and third positions, in that order.

Similarly, 16-year-old Embah Godspower, born in Delta State, emerged as the male race winner with a time of one hour.

He was followed closely by Paul Osadebame and Aliu Mirror, who ran one hour, two seconds, and 57 seconds, respectively.

The female winner, Olumide, who said the race was her first, hopes to secure an athletic scholarship to study nursing abroad.

On his part, the male winner, Godspower, said he was not surprised with his victory as he had trained hard for the race.

He said his ambition is to represent his state and Nigeria in national and international engagements.

Meanwhile, athletic coach Oluyemi Ayopo has commended the vision of the annual Owan Marathon race organiser for giving hope to the hopeless and showcasing their talents.
He said the annual marathon race has helped produce athletes representing Edo state in national events.

“The organisers, Christopher Ojo, have given these young stars hope with his singular sponsorship of this annual event. Through this event, about 20 athletes discovered in previous editions were sponsored by Lagos’s yearly Access Marathon race.”

“Through this event also, an athlete discovered during the second edition is presently on scholarship studying in America. We need more Ojo to help nurture our abundant talents hidden in our various communities,” he said.

The Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Athletes Technical Officials, Lucky Ehigiator,  advised the organiser to register the yearly race to make it an international event.

They commended the organisers for raising the bar in the 4th edition of the annual race.

The organiser, Christopher Ojo, has promised to ensure that the victorious in this year’s edition are exposed to competitive races as part of their grooming process.