From Joseph Kanjo, Benin

The 5th edition of the annual 10km Owan Marathon was on Saturday and was won by Ghana.

The race, which took place in Sabongida-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, saw the Ghanaian athletes presenting a dominant force in the male and female categories of the race.
In the male category, 26-year-old Adetiba Michael from Kwara, who in September 2025 won the 21 km Abuja marathon race, came first with a time of 50:13.

Kwabena Freepong from Ghana came second with a time of 50:37, while Yusuf Baaije from Plateau ran a time of 51:46 to come third in the race.
Ghanaians dominated the female category with their athletes, Ayaaba Joyce, 25, and Mumuni Christiana, coming first and third in times of 57:44 and 58:54, respectively, while Agofure Charity from Delta State came second.

The male winner, Michael, described his feat as God’s aspiring and hoped to better his timing next time.
On her part, Ayaaba Joyce said she only hoped for the best when her coach, who told her about the race, was preparing her for the event.

In his speech, Chris Ojo, organiser of the Owan Marathon race, promised to set up a marathon clinic where future marathoners would be trained.
While calling for collaboration with well-meaning sons and daughters from the state towards the race, Ojo said the organisation of the race would be fully handed over to professionals to organise from the next edition.

“Olympics is just a little more than two years away, and who says we can’t groom athletes that will represent Nigeria if we remain committed towards this cause?” he asked.