FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
KENYAN JOHN MURIRI won the male category of the Maiden edition of the ECOWAS-ABUJA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON on Saturday in Abuja in a time of 01.04.2.79s while compatriot, CHEPTOECK CAREEN won in the female category in a time of 1:14.32.45 sec.
The 22.5KM race which started from the ECOWAS SECRETARIAT in ASOKORO and ended at the OLD PARADE GROUND, AREA 10 GARKI, Abuja witnessed over 600 athletes from across Africa including a 74year old CAMEROUNIAN runner who came in from Canada.
Prize money ranging from $10,000 to $1,000 was awarded to the first ten finishers in both the male and female categories.
The winner in the male category, JOHN MURIRI from Kenya got $10,000 while second placed MAWCHA ADAME from Ethiopia got $5000 and third placed EMMANUEL GYANG ( 1:04.32.15) from Nigeria got $4000.
In the female category, KENYAN CHEPTOECK CAREEN finished ahead of the pack while DEBORAH PAM ( 1:17.15.86s) of Nigeria came second, another Nigerian, OLUDE FADEKEMI (1:19.11.23s ) finished third.
Special athlete, EZEKIEL ELISA emerge the best PARA ATHLETE.
Others male athletes from fourth to tenth positions were GIDEON GOYET, DANJUMA JAN, STEPHEN JOSHUA,CEPHAS WILLIAMS, ATA JIGARK,TOKBE CHRISTOPHER and DANJUMA JAM all Nigerians.
While the fourth to tenth position females include LENESA DABA from Ethiopia, NANLOP DANLADI,ROTKANG JAMES, BLESSING SHAMBOR, CHRISTIAN PETER,HUDUNG GYANG and NANCY MATHEW all Nigerians.
A Special prize was also given to the oldest runner, 74 year old JOHN ACHU from Canada who competed under the Cameroonian flag.
The occasion was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life including the representatives of the President of the ECOWAS COMMISSION, HIS EXCELLENCY,JEAN CLAUDE KASSI, the Minister of the FCT, MALLAM MUHAMMAD BELLO, the Minister for Youth and Sports Development, HONOURABLE SUNDAY DARE, President of the NIGERIA OLYMPICS COMMITTEE (NOC), ENG.HABU GUMEL , Acting President of the ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA( AFN),OLAMIDE GEORGE and the Director, FCT SPORTS COUNCIL, MRS DILICHUCKWU ONYEDINMA amongst others.
The 1st edition of the ECOWAS-ABUJA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON themed “RUN FOR UNITY & INTEGRATION” is a collaborative effort of the ECOWAS COMMISSION and the FCT SPORTS COUNCIL.
