By Abah Andrew, Abuja
Kenya reaffirms its premium dominance in long distance at the Premium Trust Bank Abuja City Half Marathon with a complete sweep in both men and women races.
The trio of Kephar Namutala, Edwin Kipyago, Ezekiel Chepkovomi swept the men’s top three medals. Namutala won the race in a time of 1:05:14:45 to go home with the cash prize of 8,000 US dollars while his compatriots, Kipyago finished second in a time of 1:05:39:73 cart away a cash prize of 6,000 US dollars, and Ezekiel Chepkoromi finished third in a time of 1:06:05:09 winning a cash prize of 5,000 US dollars.
Nigeria’s Adamu Shehu was Nigeria’s best performer as he emerged overall 4th in a time of 1:08:25:49 and won a double cash prize of 2 million Naira and 4,000 US dollars for finishing in the overall top eight.
Another Nigerian, Auta Monday finished 8th on the overall standing and second in the Nigeria category in a time of 1:09:45::96 to go home with a double cash reward of 500 US dollars and 1.5 million Naira. Friday Elisha was Nigeria’s third best performer with a time of 1:10:30:52 in the men’s category.
In the Women’s category, Kenya’s Mercy Jepkemoi won the race in a time of 1:14:53:23 while Nigeria’s duo of Shambor Blessing and Akusho Lydia made a historic feat by finishing second and third respectively in a time of 1:16:28:69 and 1:16:34:67.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko commended the organisers of the race, Nilayo Sport Management Limited for continually raising the bar of road races in Nigeria with premium organisation of the race.
“It’s quite brilliant what we are seeing here and it clearly aligns with our vision at the Sports Commission. If we take this kind of events very seriously it can give Nigeria a comparative advantage in road racing in the near future”.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, also expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon be a force to reckon with when it comes to producing elite long distance runners because of international marathon of this quality.
“The feasibility that the organisers, Nilayo Sports are giving to long distance in Nigeria is highly commended and Premium Trust Bank Abuja City Marathon is another success story that will be remembered for a long time”.
