11- year- old Ogunbowale gets cash, accolades at Bigi sponsored Ijebu- Ode Heritage marathon

• East Africans Swept top prizes

THERE was no much challenge for athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia as they took the shine at the maiden edition of Ijebu- Ode Heritage Half Marathon powered by Rite Foods Limited, makers of the Bigi range of drinks.

The 21- kilometer marathon was won by Kenya’s Hosea Kiplimo, who finished the race in 1: 02: 36 seconds, while his counterpart from Ethiopia, Rhonzas Kilimo, finished second in 1: 02: 57secs, followed by Kenya’s Timothy Ronoh, who crossed the line in 1: 02: 59secs.

The women’s race was also won by another Kenyan, Sandra Chebet in a time of 1: 10: 42secs, with two Ethiopians – Gebaynesh Ayele ( second) and Beyenu Degefa ( third) with a time of 1: 10: 52secs and 1: 11: 02 respectively.

Two indigenes of Ijebu, Femi Olusanya, a Police Officer, and an 11- year- old Abigael Ogunbowale also hit the limelight at the event.

Olusanya became the ‘ first Ijebu man’ to complete the race, while Abigael, became a star and the first woman to get to the finish point of the 21 kilometers marathon, which ended at the Dipo Dina Stadium.