Oshiomhole, Obaseki, Dalung defy rain to run in Okpekpe

Okpekpe Road Race May 14, 2018 Event, News

Participants in the 2018 edition of the annual 10 kilometres Okpekpe road race on Saturday defy the heavy downpour to run in the race. The rain began ten minutes after the VIPs race kicked off.

Among dignitaries in the VIPs were former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, Edo Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, Edo First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, former Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Clem Agba amongst others.

Foreign athletes including their Nigeria counterpart had earlier began their race 20 minutes before the rain began.
Governor Obaseki and Oshiomhole completed the race despite the rain.
It was a day of glory for athletes from Kenyans as they won in the male categories while an Ethiopian, Yani Dera Dida won in the female categories.
Kibet Alex ran 29.46 seconds to win in the male category, Simon Chepat took second in 30.29seconds while Ronoh Timothy took third by finishing 30.39seconds.

Other females from Kenyan that took second and third positions were Tuei Sandra Chebey from who ran for 33.33 and Kipyokei Diana. Speaking to newsmen, Kibet said the weather affected the time he wanted to finish.

His words, “I want to thank God for winning this race. This is my first time to be here. The course was not easy especially the finishing point. The starting point was okay but the finishing point was hilly.
“The organisation need to put in more for the race to get the gold label. The rain make the time to go worse.”
Vice Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Igantious Onimawo, led students and top management of the institution to run against cultism.
Prof. Onimawo said cultism has become a menace in the society that need to be eradicated.