Okpekpe Set to Host Prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Road Race

 

The town of Okpekpe in Edo State, Nigeria, is poised to host the next World Athletics gold label road race, drawing global attention after the recent Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon in Istanbul, Turkey. Scheduled for the 25th of this month, the Okpekpe International 10km road race marks its distinguished position as the 23rd of 45 World Athletics gold label races planned for this year.

This year's event is particularly significant as it celebrates a decade of hosting what has become a benchmark for world-class road racing events in Nigeria, and indeed West Africa. Since its inaugural race, the Okpekpe 10km has gained prominence, initially earning a bronze label in 2015 and progressively scaling up to its current gold label status.

Zack Amodu, the race director, expressed pride in the event's evolution and its impact on the athletics landscape in Nigeria. "We are super delighted about the effect we have had in getting more road races in Nigeria recognized by World Athletics and the certification of over 15 road race courses in Nigeria by World Athletics accredited course measurer," Amodu stated.

The race not only highlights athletic excellence but also showcases the collaborative efforts of the local community, partners, and the Edo State government. The support from these stakeholders has been crucial in maintaining the high standards of the event, which has been consistently recognized by World Athletics over the past nine years.

Amodu also highlighted the caliber of participants that the race attracts, noting that many of the elite athletes who compete at Okpekpe have gone on to achieve global success. "The elite cast has been one of the best any gold label race could have, and the result is that some of these elite athletes have gone on to become medalists at World Athletics sponsored global events," he remarked. This includes Daniel Ebenyo from Kenya, who holds the course record and won a silver medal at last year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia.

As Okpekpe gears up to host this prestigious event, it continues to set a high standard for athletic competitions and serves as a beacon of sporting excellence in West Africa