The 6th edition of Opobo marathon held in Rivers State lived up to the billings as one of the top rated road races in Nigeria with athletes coming from all over the country to fight for honours in what has now remained a constant feature in sporting circles.
And with the prize money even higher than the 5th edition, it became obvious that the fight for the top positions would be competitive and down to the wire.
In the end, it was Chimaobi Augustine Azubuike from Imo State breasted the tape first at the finish line in the male category. He smiled home with N500,000 top prize money.
Yusuf Babije from Plateau State was second whole Eric Constance finishing third to win N200,000 and N100,000 respectively.
In the female category, Blessing Bulus from Plateau State dusted all comers to cart home the N500,000 prize money for first position, while Charity Agofure from Delta State came second to win N200,000 whole Saibu Yetunde from Ogun State rounded up the top three win with the consolation N100,000.
In the two special positions, Jaja Tamuno won the first position for indigenous category, while a 15-year-old Queen Nwidah was the youngest runner to finish the marathon, pocketing N50,000 in the process.
Speaking in an interview, both Azubuike and Bulus praised the organisers for an excellent marathon, pointing out that they didn’t expect such level of seriousness and competition from other athletes.
Chimaobi Azubuike said he was surprised winning the marathon, especially as he felt that there would be more experienced runners and would not have come but for what he had read about Opobo growing up, so he decided to come and see the town.
Female category winner Blessing Bulus expressed delight with her performance, saying she had worked very hard coming into the marathon and was happy that her preparations paid off in the end.
Also speaking, the Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, who also took part in the leisure category, from starting and the ending, was full of praises for the level of competition and the number of athletes who came from various states.
