Obudu 2014 Winner for Okpekpe Race
Kenya’s middle and long distance runner, Kembol Hillary Kipkorir, who won the 10th edition of the Obudu International Mountain Race last year at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu, Cross River State has been confirmed for next month’s Okpekpe 10km Road Race in Edo State.
This much was confirmed at the weekend by race Technical Manager, Yusuf Ali.
Ali, a former Nigeria long jump champion and record holder revealed that Kemboi, a devout Christian has confirmed his participation and will now be one of 25 top elite athletes from abroad the organisers are inviting for the race.
“Kemboi clocked 1hr 02 minutes and 34 seconds to beat Ethiopian Negera Abebe Dinkesa and Uganda’s Kiplimo Philip to win the $50,000 on offer in Obudu last year and will be hoping to add the $25,000 top prize at the Okpekpe race come next month,” said Ali, a former IAAF World Championships and Olympics long jump finalist.
“Kemboi will however be hotly challenged by his compatriot, Jacob Kendgor who has a 10km personal best of 28.12 seconds and won the Seoul International Marathon early this year and Ethiopia’s Yitayal Atnafu, the reigning Ooredo Half Marathon kings who has a personal best of 28.13 seconds in the 10km,” further revealed Ali who also confirmed the participation of Amos Kiplimo Mitei of Kenya.
“Mitei’ came second behind Ethiopia’s Teshome Asafan at the second edition of the Okpekpe race last year but this year, he will likely be coming in as the pre-race fastest man after clocking a lifetime best of 27:58 seconds in Padeborn, Germany early this month to move to number two on the 2015 world top list behind Homiyu Tesfaye of Ethiopia (27.54).”
Ali assured this year’s race which will be organised in accordance with the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will be special because it is coming after it was granted an IAAF bronze label status.
“It is the only bronze label race in Africa this year and one of the few IAAF labeled races in Africa this year,” he said and heaped plaudits on Pamodzi Sports Marketing boss, Mike Itemuagbor for lifting image of Nigeria internationally.