Kenya’s Ebenyo dethrone Ethiopian Hagi at Okpekpe 10km gold label race
By Uzor Odigbo
Daniel Simiu Ebenyo of Kenya on Saturday dethroned former Champion Yasin Hagi of Ethiopia to win the 10th Okpekpe 10km Gold medal race on Saturday.
Ebenyo crossed the finishing line with hands raised for victory in 28.28 which became a new course record.
Another Kenyan runner, Brian Kwemoi placed second in a time of 28.40.
Third was the 9th edition dethroned Champion Yasin Hagi who returned 29:34.
The women race produced a new champion as Carolina Chiprochi Kipkirui from Kazakhstan won in 32:38. The Second was Ludwina Chakintic of Kenya 32:53 and Betukan Welder of Ethiopia came in third clocking 32: 58.
The race flagged off at 8:30 am on a rainy morning and progressed with over 2000 runners as some of them had their first feel of the marathon.
The 10th edition of the Gold label race proved to be a carnival for Okpekpe inhabitants as they they trooped out to watch and cheer runners along the route.
Daniel Ebenyo was elated after winning the race he described as interesting but difficult.
According to him, “I’m happy to win here, it was a different but difficult race for me having to Challenge a former Champion.
I’m also happy to win with a new course record which was surprising to me on a wet day.”
Both male and female races produced a new course record which officials attributed to new innovation that was introduced to enhance efficiency through effective communication at various stages of the race.
Winners got cash prizes ranging from. 20,000 US dollars for first position.
The organiser, Mike Itemuagbor said more innovations would be introduced to improve the already attained level of excellence to perfection as the matching is towards getting the Platinum.
“More Sponsors would be encouraged to buy into the project and we are happy to have some of our friends (Sponsors) join us to attain perfection like other gold label races elsewhere in the world.”