Kenyan and Ethiopian runners claimed the top awards in the 42-kilometre races as the Enugu City International Festival concluded with a high-profile finish, while Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mbah pledged to revive the state’s sporting heritage and pursue its emergence as Africa’s sporting capital.
Kenya’s Edwin Kipyogo took the men’s marathon title after completing the course in 2:23:38. His victory earned him $15,000, while Ethiopia’s Habtamu Girma was runner-up, just one second behind in 2:23:39, and received $10,000.
Another Ethiopian, Shiferaw Daltiemayu, secured third place in 2:23:41 and collected $5,000.
Iliya Emmanuel Dung led the Nigerian men in the 42km event, crossing the line in 2:26 to win N3 million. Solomon Nyango finished second for N2 million, followed by Gyang Nyango, who earned N1.5 million. Nenfort Gofwo and Elisha Friday completed the top five and received N1 million and N500,000 respectively.
Ethiopia also produced the women’s marathon champion, with Zennebe Aberu recording a winning time of 2:48:40. Her compatriot Negashu Chatiu placed second in 3:03:18, while Kenya’s Adugna Mahlet finished third after 3:06:32.
The three leading women collected the same international prize amounts as the men’s podium finishers: $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third.
Deborah Pam Badung was the leading Nigerian woman in the 42km race and received N3 million. Elizabeth Nuhu Power, Fadekemi Olude, Lydia Akusho Thomas and Anna Agi followed in second, third, fourth and fifth positions, earning N2 million, N1.5 million, N1 million and N500,000 respectively.
The 10km men’s contest was dominated by athletes from Plateau State. Gang James Boyi won the race and the N1 million first prize, with Davwi Gyang taking second place and N750,000. Pam Joshua came third for N500,000, while Ismael Sadjo and Kasinma Phage finished fourth and fifth to claim N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
Patience Daylop won the women’s 10km race, followed by Obadih Vivian, Mwantiyi Teyei Davou, Danjuma Agness and Nvou Gyang Tanko. The top five collected the same amounts awarded in the men’s event: N1 million, N750,000, N500,000, N300,000 and N200,000 in finishing order.
During the prize presentation, Mbah praised both the successful athletes and everyone who took part. He described the marathon as evidence of his administration’s intention to attract businesses, open up opportunities for young people and strengthen Enugu’s tourism industry.
The governor, represented at the ceremony by Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, said Enugu was being developed as a leading place to invest, conduct business, visit and live. He added that the wider ambition was to establish the state as the sporting capital of Africa.
