Husband and wife, Iliya Pam and Deborah Pam from Plateau State on Sunday in the capital city of Oyo State, Ibadan emerged winners in male and female categories at the 10th edition of Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon Race.
Iliya won the male category, having finished in 2hours, 36minutes, while Deborah came tops in the female category after finishing in 2hours, 51 minutes.
Power Oil and Three Crown powered the 42km race in conjunction with the Ibadan based radio station, Splash FM that initiated the meet ten years ago.
The first three winners in the male category went home with cash prizes of N1million, N700,000 and N250,000 respectively, while those in the female category got N700,000, N400,000 and N250,000 respectively.
Iliya, a second-time winner of the race is a 300 level student of Physical and Health Education at the Federal College of Education, Pankshin and a member of Plateau State Sports Council while Deborah, a third-time winner of the same race is a personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Kefas Williams and Yohanna Friday emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the male category, while Nuhu Elizabeth and Hudung Gyang emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the male category.
Winners from 1st to 4th in female and 1st to 7th in both categories of the event were from Plateau state, as the male winner, Iliya, who was the winner of the 2018 Access Marathon race in Lagos, gave thanks to God for winning the one million naira cash in the Ibadan race.
The spokesperson of the long distance race, Tunde Olawuwo, however, thanked all and sundry that made the event a successful one while appreciating all other news media for their support and contribution.
Mr Toye Arulogun, the State Commissioner Information, Culture and Tourism described the race as a great revenue booster, saying that there was correlation between sports and tourism, adding the event was a welcome development and a great means of promoting the state.
He added that efforts was underway to ensure that the ‘Oloke Meje Marathon Race’ planned by the state government becomes a reality, while commending the organizers and collaborators for sustaining the race up to the tenth edition, saying such was a great plus to the state.
One of the sponsors of the event, Kayrom Lee Squash, Gym and Fitness centre added colour to the races by conducting dancing aerobics session, free medical test and health counsel, while the firm also offered lots of free gift items to participants and spectators
Among those present at the event were Chief Adebayo Akande, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of West Midlands Communication and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande, a former Minister of Commerce.
Others were Hon. Temitope Olatoye (APC Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency Rep.), Chief Adebayo Oyero, Mr. Soji Eniade, Mr Adewunmi Faniran, NUJ Chairman, Oyo State Council and prominent artistes in the country including creative Fuji musician, Taye Currency.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
