Just like the early Saturday morning rain that washed away the dusty surfaces in the hilly town of Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo state, so was the feat of Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo whose first attempt at the Okpekpe 10km Road Race erased the 28:35 course record with a time of 28:28 minutes.
Ebenyo, who was a pre-race favourite having risen to be the 14th fastest man in the world, swept away the challenges from defending champion Haji Yasin of Ethiopia who finished third with a time of 29:34 minutes and second-placed Kenyan Brian Kwemoi.
A fortnight ago, the 27-year-old claimed the Istanbul Marathon before adding another title at the Kip Kieno Classic.
Ebenyo’s recording-breaking feat appeared to have embraced the new gold-label status of the Okpekpe Road Race which is well known for its exciting course with low and high lands of the rural environments.
“I thank God for the win”, he said moments after he crossed the finish line. I trained hard for this race in Kenya and I’m happy I won it on my first visit to Nigeria,” the Kenyan star told Afrosport.
In the elite women’s category, Caroline Kipkirui of Kazakhstan became the first to emerge from the bowels of the hills with a time of 32:38 minutes, while Ludwina Chepngetich of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde concluded their races in 32:53 and 33:06 to finish second and third respectively.
Constant decimal in Nigeria in the long-distance races, Ismaila Sadjo confirmed his status once again as he won the Nigeria Men’s category ahead of Stephen Joshua and Francis James.
In the women’s category, Patience Dalung came first while Akusho Lydia, and Deborah Pam took the second and third positions respectively.
Meanwhile, Race Director Zack Amodu said since the Okpekpe 10km Road Race began nine years ago, he was encouraged by the progress it has attained from the World Athletics ratings starting from the Bronze label and now to its Gold label status.
He added that more efforts would be made as they aim for the Platinum-label from the world body.
Mike Itemuagbor, who initiated the international competition, admitted that the race has elevated a rural community like Okpekpe to be recognised globally as athletes from different countries now found it exciting and rewarding to participate in the race.
