Kenyan runner Koros Ken emerged the winner of the first edition of the Enugu City International Marathon, going home with 15,000 dollars as prize money.
Steve Rasway, also of Kenya, finished second with a prize of 10,000 dollars, while his countryman Bernard Sang went home with 5,000 dollars for finishing third.
It was a similar story in the women’s category when Shauline Chepkiru Koech of Kenya won the first prize.
Nigerian runner Davou Ezekiel from Jos finished first amongst the Nigerian runners, winning the three million naira prize money allotted for the indigenous athletes.
The marathon, which lived up to the pre-event hype with the turnout of runners, fans and the level of organisation, had all the spices of a world-class race.
Governor Peter Mbah added colour to the event by participating in the 10km race and said the race exceeded every expectation, and he is very satisfied with both the participation and competition of the race.
He said, “This race has shown us the power of sports and what sports can do in galvanising our youth. I am really impressed with what I have seen, and it has only motivated us as a state to put more effort into making the race better and bigger next year.”
Over one hundred international elite athletes participated in the race, with thousands of Nigerian runners also taking part and making history as the maiden edition of the Enugu City International Marathon ended in grand style.
