By Emma Jemegah
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 becomes 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 Kazastan won in 32:38, Second was Ludwina Chakintic of Kenya 32:53 and Betukan Welder of Ethiopia came in third clocking 3258.
The race flagged off at 8:30 am on a rainy morning and progressed with over 2000 runners as some 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 suspended other activities to troop out to watch and cheer runners along the route.
Daniel Semenyo 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 introduce to enhance efficiency through effective communication at various stages of the race. Winners got cash prices ranging from. 20,000 US dollas for first position. The organiser of the Mike Itemuagbor said more innovations would be introduced to improve the already attained level of exellence to perfection as the matching is owards getting the Platinum.
“More Sponsored would be encouraging to buy into the project and we are happy to have some of our friends (Sponsors) join us to attain perfection like other gold lable races elsewhere in the world’”