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“Latecomer,” Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya, yesterday, set a new course record at the 2023 Okpekpe International 10km Road Race when he returned 28.28 seconds to erase the previous time of 28.35 seconds set by Ethiopia’s Teshome Mekonen in 2014.
For his spectacular feat, Ebenyo, the last of the elite athletes to arrive for the race on Friday, got $20,000 as prize money for breaking the record instead of the $13,000 meant for the winner.
Ebenyo was not the only record maker in Okpekpe yesterday, as Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui of Kazakstan, set a new record in the women’s category with a 32.28 seconds return to erase the former mark of 32.41secs set by Ethiopia’s Wude Ayalew also in 2014. Like Ebenyo, she also got an enhanced first prize of $20,000.
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In the men’s elite category, Brian Kwemoi of Kenya took the second position, while defending champion, Yasin Hagi of Ethiopia finished in third place.
Cross River State’s Ismel Sadjo won the Nigerian elite class in 31.53 seconds, Stephen Joshua Dalyop of Plateau State was second, just as another Plateau man, Francis James Musa came in third position.
In the women elite class, Kenya’s Ludwina Chepngetich’s time of 32.58 seconds won her the silver medal, while Bertuken Welde of Ethiopia was third with 33.03 seconds.
Patience Dalyop Mwanvwang (36:53) seconds was the first Nigerian woman to breast the tape, followed by Lydia Thomas Akusho (36:54) seconds and Deborah Pam Badung (37:22) seconds.
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