Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State, took part in the first edition of the Enugu City International Marathon on Saturday, completing the 10-kilometer road race in 45 minutes.
The state’s efforts to position itself as a hub for sports tourism and investment were marked by the elite athletes from across Africa at the event.
East African runners dominated the podium for the entire 42-kilometer marathon. With a time of 2:22:32, Kenyan Kopos won the men’s elite category, earning the grand prize of $15, 000.
Steve Baswey and Bernard Sang, his fellow-patriots, came in second and third, making $10, 000 and $5, 000, respectively.
Kenya’s Shaoline Chepriroi won the women’s elite category with a time of 2:44:37, followed closely by Ethiopian Tilahu Birul (2:45:10) and Rita Busiengy (2:47:17), who won $10, 000 and $5, 000, respectively.
More than one million people are registering for the 2026 London Marathon.
The best performers in Nigeria also left a legacy. Blessing Shambo placed fourth overall in the women’s elite division, placing her in the top half of the field of runners from Nigeria and earning $1 million.
Charity Agofure and Elizabeth Pam followed in 2: 55: 03 and 3: 01: 45, earning ₦750, 000 and ₦500, 000 respectively.
With a time of 2: 29: 03, Nigeria’s Davou Gyang edged Boyi Nyango by three seconds to lead the local elite finishers on the men’s side. Third was Iliya Pam. They received cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦750, 000, and ₦500, 000 respectively.
Lydia Akusho, Esther Afigbo, and Mwantiti Davou won the top three spots in the women’s category during the 10-kilometer road race. Francis James, Iliya Raymond, and Boyi Gang came in first, second, and third, respectively, in the men’s division.
The marathon was supported by international and national athletics organizations.
World Athletics, along with Chief Solomon Ogba, the first vice president of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, and Nadeem Khan, the president of the International Ultra Runners, was in charge of it.
Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s goal of making Enugu a destination of choice for sports, tourism, and investment during his speech at the event.
“What we just saw is a spectacular event,” he said. The power of sports is demonstrated by it, Mbah said. Remember that I promised to make Enugu City Half Marathon a global event when I ran it last year. Do you think we did that”?
Elite runners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Eritrea were drawn to the International Marathon. We will host world-class athletes in the following year. The Enugu City International Marathon will become a significant event on the world’s calendar, according to our plans.
Mbah added that the event is in line with the state’s plan to use sports and tourism as economic drivers to draw three million visitors annually.
“Sports is for us a pastime other than recreation. It is a serious business. Through these events, we will foster talent, inspire inspiration, and create opportunities. He declared that people would spend their money in Enugu.
The Governor applauded Barr, the commissioner for youth and sports, for his efforts. The various security and logistics teams, led by Yetunde Olopade, the managing director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, and Lord Ekweremadu, the consulting firm responsible for the event’s smooth running.
Source: Channels TV
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