A 15-year-old athlete from Plateau State, Paul James triumphed over others to win the Ibadan Amender Road Race after finishing the 10kilometre marathon with 25min 37sec to beat his closest opponents who are also from Plateau state Danjuma Jang who returned with 39min and Manshak Moses, that finished the race in 39m.15sec to first and second runners up respectively.
The maiden long-distance race was flagged off at Eleyele roundabout Ibadan at 8:00 am on Saturday amidst tight security and ended at Anwarul Islam Grammar School, Eleyele Ibadan where about 100 distance runners that participated were well received and decorated.
Paul James, in his remark to newsmen after the race, said he only trained for two weeks ahead of the event, saying his next target is the Lagos Access Marathon which will be held next month.
He also thanked Hamex Group for rewarding him with cash prizes.
The race also produced another promising athlete who is 12 years old Abdul Rasheed Roheem, a Senior Secondary School 1 student of A Maker College. Raheem completed the 10kilo race within 59minutes and was scouted by coaches from Oyo State Sports Council.
The CEO of Amender Group, Ahmed kayode Abdulwahab who organized the maiden marathon event in his remark thanked the major sponsor of the athletic meets, Hamex Investment, Leasing & Logistics Company for supporting his dream, saying the motive of the event, which is to discover new distance runners, was realized.
“We must also be grateful to Solat Telecom, Al’ Yusuf Travels and Tour, Fajok Stores, A Makers Groups of School, Baliqis Nursery, and Pry Schl. And Alh. Muhmin Raji, Principal Audhs for supporting this athletic meet, as we will strive to make it an annual event in Ibadan”, said Amender boss.
