Kenya reaffirmed its dominance in long-distance operating on the PremiumTrust Financial institution Abuja Metropolis Half Marathon, producing a commanding sweep ain each the lads’s and ladies’s elite races.
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Within the males’s occasion, Kephar Namutala stormed to victory in 1:05:14:45, incomes the highest prize of $8,000. Compatriot Edwin Kipyago completed second in 1:05:39:73, taking dwelling $6,000, whereas Ezekiel Chepkoromi secured third place in 1:06:05:09, successful $5,000, finishing a clear Kenyan sweep.
Nigeria, nevertheless, produced a standout second by Adamu Shehu, who completed general 4th with a time of 1:08:25:49, making him the highest Nigerian finisher. His efficiency earned him a double reward:
$4,000 for putting within the general high eight
₦2 million as Nigeria’s best-ranked athlete
One other Nigerian, Auta Monday, completed eighth general and second within the Nigeria class with a time of 1:09:45:96, incomes $500 plus ₦1.5 million. Friday Elisha accomplished Nigeria’s high three within the males’s division with a time of 1:10:30:52.
The ladies’s race witnessed one other sturdy Kenyan exhibiting as Mercy Jepkemoi claimed victory in 1:14:53:23. However Nigeria recorded a historic achievement when Shambor Blessing and Akusho Lydia completed second and third respectively, timing 1:16:28:69 and 1:16:34:67, marking one of many nation’s greatest collective outings in elite ladies’s distance operating.
Chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the organisers, Nilayo Sports activities Administration Restricted, for constantly elevating skilled highway racing in Nigeria.
“It’s sensible what we’re seeing right here and it aligns completely with our imaginative and prescient on the Sports activities Fee. Occasions like this, when taken significantly, can provide Nigeria a comparative benefit in highway racing,” Dikko stated.
Director Common of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, echoed the sentiment, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s rising prospects in long-distance athletics.
“The visibility that Nilayo Sports activities is giving to long-distance operating is extremely commendable. The Premium Trust Bank Abuja Metropolis Marathon is one other success story that will likely be remembered for a very long time,” Olopade famous.
