Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Emmanuel Naibet and Ruth Jebet yesterday became the winners of the maiden edition of Abuja International Marathon which was held in very calm conditions.
Naibet from Kenya lived up to the pre-race rating as the fastest runner on the field when he finished the 42 kilometres race with a time of 2:13: 45 to earn the cash prize of $50,000 as the winner of the men’s race.
His time was the best ever recorded in any first edition of marathon races in Nigeria.
The victory also marked the second time Naibet would win a marathon in Nigeria having also won the 2021 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
Bernard Sang and Ezekiel Koech ensured a Kenyan sweep of the stakes by trailing second and third respectively.
Sang finished the race at 2:13:49 while Koech finished with a time of 2:13:51.
Jebet from Bahrain, who just transitioned from a half-marathon, also stole the show by going home with $50,000 in the women’s categories respectively.
Mercy Kwambai of Kenya earned $40,000 to finish in second position with a time of 2:38:17 ahead of Dida Negasa from Ethiopia, who received $30,000 with a time of 2:40:16.
Over 150 international and local runners participated at the marathon race that started at the City Gate, through Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Zuba- Kubwa Expressway, AYA Junction, Shehu Shagari Way, Samuel Ademulegun Avenue, Sheraton Hotels, Herbert Maucauley Way all the way to Eagle Square.
Apart from the 42 Kilometres race, other enthusiasts also competed in the 10km and 5km races, dominated by families and students from across the FCT.
