Sharubutu, Yohanna get heroic welcome for excelling at Paris marathon

It was praises all the way for two Nigerian long distance runners, Philibus, Sharubutu and Dinatu Yohanna, for their performance at the recently concluded 2016 Paris Marathon race.

In particular, Sharubutu was picked as one of the surprises of the race, as he finished in the top 40 position out of over 50,000 runners who took part in the annual race. He clocked two hours 32 seconds, just 25 minutes behind the eventual winner, Cyprian Kotut of Kenya.

Both Sharabutu and his female counterpart, Yohanna, were sponsored to the 40th Paris Marathon by Schneider Electric Nigeria for being the first male and female Nigerian athletes to breast the tape at a similar event held in the country.

At a welcome reception held at the Lagos office of Schneider Electric, encomiums were showered on the duo for their outstanding performance at the Paris Marathon, which took place on April 3.

The Country President, Schneider Electric, Nigeria, Walid Sheta, said: “It is amazing Nigeria’s representatives made it at the record time. Their performance is a mark of champions. Schneider Electric will continue to support Nigerian governments at all levels to encourage home-grown talents.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented at the occasion, reiterated the need to celebrate the success of Nigerian athletes in order to inspire them to do more. He commended the athletes for their sterling performance at the Paris Marathon, saying: “We commend Schneider Electric for their continuous partnership in support of our athletes. Nigeria possesses great talents, and it is our collective responsibility to discover and celebrate them.”

On their parts, Sharubutu and Yohanna appreciated Schneider Electric Nigeria, the Solomon Ogba-led Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Lagos State government for giving them the opportunity to compete with some of the world’s best in long-distance races and for celebrating them despite not winning the 2016 Paris Marathon.