By Victor Okoye
Tanzania on Saturday completed a clean sweep in the 42 km full marathon of the men and women’s category at the ongoing 2024 Africa Military Games (AMGA) in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the race attracted no fewer than 100 athletes from 11 countries namely; Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Algeria, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, South Africa, Senegal and host Nigeria.
The race began in the early hours of Saturday morning from 6 a.m. at the City gate and stretched all the way to the airport road before making a U-turn at Aco estate at 17.5 km.
It continued down for 21.19 km before Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Kuchingoro bridge for 30.5 km, through Magic land, Constitution Avenue to the Church gate traffic light for 37.5 km.
It then made a right turn to Olusegun Obasanjo way and continued down to the next traffic light by Bolingo Hotel before making a right turn to Kukwaba road.
It then stretched all the way down to the National hospital and then into the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for 42 km.
Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania with a time of 2:17.19 secs was the men’s winner and was followed by Dedefi Gelato of Ethiopia with a time of 2:18.31 in a tense finish towards the last 400 m.
Laamedi El hadi of Algeria settled for third position with a time of 2:19.59 secs.
The women’s race was won by Magdalena Shauri of Tanzania with a time of 2:36.29 secs.
Cheptoyek Ruth and Chebet Emily of Uganda finished second and third with respective times of 2:41.07 secs and 2:44.10 secs.
NAN also reports that the Chief of Defence of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, was on ground to congratulate and present medals of honour to all the well-deserved winners at the end of a pulsating race.
A total of 20 games are being competed for in the 2nd edition of AMGA 2024.
1,625 athletes from no fewer than 22 African countries are participating in the Games, which opened on Wednesday and due to end on Nov. 30. (NAN)
