3,000 Runners for Okpekpe Race

Over 3,000 runners are expected to participate in next month’s 3rd Okpekpe 10km Road Race scheduled to hold in Okpekpe, Edo State, organisers of the race have confirmed.

“We are expecting over 3,000 runners for this year’s race which will hold on May 16,” reveals former Nigeria track and field international, Yusuf Ali who added that interest in the race from various managers across the world have been both encouraging and overwhelming.

“The runners are expected to submit their registration forms with medical certificate of fitness and they are expected to sign a waiver form to acknowledge among other things the risks inherent in running a 10km race unfit,” said Ali, a former World Universities Games, African Championship and Commonwealth Games long jump winners.

Ali further revealed that the race will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

“IAAF Road Race Label Regulations will also apply to the Okpekpe Road Race 2015 which has been certified by the IAAF as a Bronze Label road race,’ said Ali.

The Okpekpe 10km road race is organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing, a leader in sports marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and Rights Acquisition business in Nigeria in conjunction with the AFN and Edo State government.

The previous editions of the race were dominated by East Africans with Kenya’s Moses Masai winning the maiden edition while Ethiopia’s Teshome Asafan won the men’s title at the second edition and his country woman, Wuday Ayalew winning the women’s title.