Okpekpe organisers ready to stage biggest race ever

Organisers of the IAAF Silver label Okpekpe international 10km road race say arrangements have been concluded for a hitch-free race this Saturday in Okpekpe near Auchi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo state.

Mercy Etukudo, who heads the event’s secretariat assured Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organizers of the race, will stage another world-class event as all logistics, both technical and administrative, are in place for a bigger and better event this year.

“Of course we are set to go. We have concluded all arrangements for a hitch-free and successful race on Saturday.  The elite athletes have arrived in Nigeria and will leave for Auchi on Thursday where accommodation has been reserved for them.

“Nigerian elite athletes will also be in Auchi on Thursday while other participants have started collecting running numbers since Tuesday at Fatima College in Auchi. The collection will continue until 2pm on Friday”, said Etukudo who revealed that all participants will receive a running race vest, number bibs, and chips.

Finishers will receive medals and certificates.

Etukudo also disclosed that arrangement for a seamless doping control has been concluded.

“We have our doping control station built in Okpekpe. It has a waiting room, a working room and toilets for both men and women since the race is mixed gender. We also have the sample collection equipment vis the collection vessels for collecting urine/blood from the athletes as well as sealable and tamper-evident bottles and lids for securing the samples.”

She added that key officials that will ensure a smooth and incident-free organisation of the race are in place.

“We have the start and finish managers whose jobs will be to set up the start and the finish area including the mobile toilets, changing facilities, baggage handling, refreshments, crowd control barriers and the timing system among other things.

“Of course we have announced that Dr. Akin Amao will still be in charge of the anti-doping unit. We have the starter, timekeepers, recorders and the race referee secured as well as technical officials that have been handling the race entries and issuing race numbers and instructions.”

Etukudo further revealed that the pre-race technical meeting will hold at the Nezer hotel on Friday the 24th of May by 2 pm.

“It is at the meeting with the elite athletes and their representatives that all arrangements like the warm-up schedule, configuration of refreshment stations and how to reach the finish line in case of drop-out will be communicated.”

This year’s race will be organized with a Gold label template as organizers hope for a Gold label status for the eighth edition in 2020.