Kenya’s Pingua, Kwamboka win 10th Okpekpe Road Race

Posted : 27 May 2024

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Kenya’s Edward Pingua was the first athlete to reach the top of the hill in Okpekpe as he claimed the symbolic 10th edition title of the premium international road race.

The 22-year-old conquered the challenging and unique undulating race course in a time of 29 minutes and 31 seconds ahead of other runners.

He showed his delight with a shout of victory as the excited crowd cheered while sticking his tongue out before crossing the finish line.

His compatriot Isaac Kimpemboi, who wasn’t too far away from him, became the second runner to emerge from the snake-like race course with a time of 29:36 minutes.

2015 winner Kario Alex Olotiptip, another Kenyan, would finish third with a time of 29:50 in the acclaimed World Athletics Gold-label mono-event.

In the women’s category, Gladys Kwamboka confirmed the East Africans’ prowess in middle and long-distance races as she came first with a time of 33:05 minutes ahead of her compatriots Regina Wambui (33:38) and Sheila Cherotich (34:27) who came second and third respectively.

“I’m happy to have won the race being my first time,” the 28-year-old said moments after completing the race, “I thought the race would be easy but it was difficult especially from the 8th kilometer mark where the course was difficult. I tried lowering the 33 minutes time but it was difficult. I thank the organizers for this race,” she said.

The top five finishers in both categories received $15,000, $8,000, $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000.

The record course time of 28:48 set by Daniel Ebenyo last year will remain at least for another year as the time with the $2,000 bonus could not be broken at the 10th edition.

Francis James Musa led the Nigerian male category to finish with a time of 30:46 minutes ahead of Bala Musa and the defending champion Ismael Sadjo who recorded 31:05 minutes and 31:15 minutes respectively.

In the women’s category, Patience Mwanvwang claimed the top position with a time of 37:07 minutes while Yilmunen Nicholas and Blessing Solomon came second and third respectively.

Prize monies of 500,000, 300,000, 200,000, 120,000, and 80,000 were distributed to the first five finishers in both categories.

The organizers also included a category for the Okpekpe indigenes; in the male category, James Raphael, Nasiru Abdullahi, Odamah Innocent came out on top while Omueyaki Success, 13-year-old Okponobi Monica, and Omodu Favour were successful.

Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomole, the former Edo State Governor, received a massive roar from the crowd after the 72-year-old completed the race to everyone's surprise.

Kenya’s Pingua, Kwamboka win 10th Okpekpe Road Race

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