Marathoners from Plateau State in Nigeria, Istifanus Peter and Deborah Pam emerged winners of this year’s Power Oil/Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon Race both in male and female categories respectively.
The 42km marathon race was held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan on Sunday, April 14, 2019.
Istifanus, who was the third runner-up in the 2018 edition won the 42 km race with a record time of two hours, forty-four minutes and thirty-six seconds (2:44:36), to defeat Danjuma Gyan, who emerged first runner-up with a record time of two hours, forty- five minutes and forty-two seconds (2:45:42).
While Philibus Sharubutu emerged second runner-up with a record time of two hours, forty-six minutes and twelve seconds (2:46:12).
In the female category, last year champion, Deborah Pam, retained her number one position with a time of two hours, fifty-eight minutes and thirteen seconds (2:58:13) to defeat Hudung Gyang, who emerged first runner-up with a time of three hours, twelve minutes and eight seconds (3:12:8).
While Elizabeth Nuhu Pawa emerged second runner-up with a time of three hours, fiftry-eight minutes and eighteen seconds (3:15:18).
In their separate interviews, the two winners, Istifanus and Deborah commended the organizers of the marathon race for being consistent and sustaining the event for the past 11 years.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Splash FM and High Chief of Ibadan land, Adebayo Akande, whose speech was read by the Chief Executive Officer, Splash FM, Atinuke Adetunji, assured that the station would continue to follow the line of integrity, good governance, transparency and accountability which are the bedrocks of the event.
Chief Akande applauded the support of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports for always being there to give technical support, as well as other partners to ensure success of the marathon race.
One of the members of the committee and News Editor, Splash FM, Tunde Olawuwo disclosed that the station, with the support of other partners has put efforts in motion to make the event an international one during next year’s edition.
While commending the people of Ibadan for trouping out en-mass to show their support for the station and participants in the event, he admonished the marathoners to always play by the rules and avoid involving in any form of doping.
The winner of the male category went home with a sum of one million naira, first runner-up, four hundred thousand and second runner-up two hundred thousand naira.
While winner in the female category went away with seven hundred thousand naira, first runner up got two hundred and fifty thousand naira and second runner up with one hundred and fifty thousand naira.
The 4th and 5th positions in both categories also went home with a sum of one hundred thousand naira and seventy thousand naira each.
This year’s edition of the marathon event, which was also partnered by Kayrom Lee Limited and Pixels Photography Limited witnessed presentation of prize money to winners of Run for a Course and Artisan Races.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
