Olamide dethrones Olude at Lagos Women Run

Oluwaseun Olamide, yesterday, came tops in this year’s 10km Lagos Women Run, which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Olamide, who was last year’s runners up, won the race in 41:04:66. Her closest rival and defending champion, Fadekemi Olude, finished second with a time of 41:53:05, while Faustina Ogbu, settled for the third spot in 43 10 98.

For their efforts, Olamide won a cash prize N500, 000, while Olude and Ogbu were given N100, 000 and N50, 000 respectively. Different prizes from sponsors that include Bet9ja, National Association for Women In Sports, among others, were also given to the victorious athletes.

Speaking at the occasion, the Coordinator of Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, expressed joy at the race, promising a better one next year.

“The event was a beautiful one, I want to say I am very happy with everything. We did not know that it was going to be as beautiful as it turned out to be at the end of the day. I am glad everything went well,” she said.

While reacting to complaints put to her by The Guardian over the disparity in the prizes offered, Popoola said the essence of the contest was to discover talents among the women, aside keeping themselves fit.

“It is about winner takes it all. If we want to look at it, we are not supposed to give prizes to other people. The person that came second last year placed first this term. It means somebody had gone to prepare better.

“This shows we have been able to achieve a goal, which is to identify more talents. I believe this will prepare people more for bigger races. …. At least I can say that we’ve been able to achieve our aim,” she said.

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, who was represented by Mrs. Olajumoke Saliu, gave kudos to the organizers, saying, “The event was a successful one, it started on time and there were provisions for the athletes in terms of everything the athletes needed to resuscitate themselves after the race.