207 Runners Set For Obudu Mountain Race

An array of international runners from nine countries will take part in the sixth edition of the Obudu International Mountain Race next Saturday.

Reports say that organisers of the annual race in the Cross River State holiday resort say 207 runners comprising 131 Nigerians and 76 foreigners will take part in the race.

William Archibong, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said in a statement that runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Colombia, Austria, Israel, Egypt and Cameroon would vie for honours in the 11-km race.

Archibong said all arrangements for a hitch-free race had been completed, adding that Gov. Liyel Imoke was satisfied with the logistics for the race.

He said the experience gained by the organisers since the inaugural race six years ago had been of immense benefit in preparing for Saturday’s race, which would be run uphill to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level.

He commended the state government for the opportunity accorded the committee to ensure the success of the annual race.

“Without doubts, the tremendous backing we have received from the governor has galvanised us into organising what the President of World Mountain Running Association, Bruno Gozzelino has called a perfect race so far.

“This is a confirmation that the organisation of the race has been of international standard,” Archibong said.

“We can only get better and want to assure Nigerians that we shall continue to project Nigeria in positive light to the rest of the world through a perfect organisation of the annual Obudu International Mountain Race.

“This is a perfect image laundering tool for Nigeria,” he added.

The LOC chief described the Obudu Mountain Race as the highest paying race in the world with $50,000 on offer each for the men and women winners.

In another development, the Media Officer of the race, Patrick Ugbe, disclosed that the governor had approved the increase of the total prize money from $245,500 to $278,000 for the men’s, women’s and children races.

Ugbe attributed the increase to the number of events, which had been increased.
He said that the women would participate in the championship for the first time in this year edition