Okpekpe Race unveils route to successful gold label 10km event

Organisers of Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have unveiled a plan for the success of the ninth edition of the event, which holds on May 27, 2023 in Okpekpe, Estako East Local Council of Edo state.

According to Director of Media and Activation, Dare Esan, the race’s secretariat will open on May 22 to begin the final countdown to the first gold label 10km road race in Nigeria.

Esan said the Secretariat will open in Auchi, near Okpekpe, five days before the event to prepare, among other things, for the arrival of technical and medical equipment, as well as the arrival of the elite athletes.”

He also said that volunteers for the race will begin their training to ensure a hitch-free event, adding, “this time around, we are going to engage more volunteers…”

‘we are partnering with Edo State University in Uzauire, near Auchi, where about 200 students will work as volunteers for the race in the area of accommodation, medicals, media, transportation and technical.

“We are bringing in these students as volunteers as a way of imparting in them practical knowledge of management. Like the Edo state Deputy Governor, Comrade
Philip Shaibu, said at the pre-race conference last week in Benin, “sports sharpens our knowledge, and physical ability and reduces social vices in society.”

Esan also revealed that accreditation and medical tests would begin on May 23, while foreign and Nigerian elite athletes will undertake a tour of the race’s course on Thursday.

On security, Esan declared that all arrangements have been concluded for another trouble and crime-free event, saying, “we visited Edo State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Dankwara, last week, to conclude all arrangements, while the DSS has also been contacted for a comprehensive security for the race.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have also been contacted to secure the road and ensure a hitch-free movement of vehicles and they all sent representatives to the pre-race media conference last week.

“We have been assured they will secure the athletes, officials and spectators, who will be in Okpekpe and its environs before, during and after race day.

“The deputy governor has also given us assurance the race will be safe for the ninth straight edition. Comrade Shaibu said at the press conference that adequate security measures are in place to ensure that all residents and visitors, including athletes coming into the state for the race, are all safe and protected.”

The Okpekpe International 10km Road Race is supported by Petralon Energy, as its CSR partner; Development, as its official bank and Nigerian Breweries Plc., as its official malt drink.

The race is the first in Nigeria to have its course measured by a World Athletics/AIMS accredited course measurer, as well as the first truly world-class road race in Nigeria when it was granted a label status (bronze) in 2015.