Sports News – General Sport & Sport Extra

A total of $227,000 was offer yesterday at the 4th Obudu International Mountain race at Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu, Cross River state, Nigeria.The Obudu International Mountain race is the  worlds richest mountain race, The 4th edition winner enmerger at the race with a new record. The winner of this year race Abebedi Dinkasa of Ethiopia set a new record as he won the men’s event of the Obudu international mountain race in Obudu.

Abebedi Dinkasa finished the 11- kilometer race in 41 minutes 5 seconds to erase the old time of 42 minutes 2 minutes., but the new record is still subject to ratification. The winner of the woman’s race is Andrea Mayer of Austria, got $50,000 for beating the very strong woman’s field. The woman’s race started 15 minutes before the men’s.

Dinkasa, who also won $50,000 for his effort, beat Uganda’s Geoffrey Kusoro to second place, while Awas Hablamu, also of Ethiopia, came third. Angelina Mutuku finished second in the women’s race, while Rehima Kadir of Ethiopia came third in the women. The second and third prizes for the men and women in the race is $20,000 and $9,000 respectively.

A private in the Nigerian Army, Stephen Jube, who is from Kaduna, finished 15th overall among the men, but he was the first Nigerian at the finish line. He won $2,000. Danjuma Gyang of Plateau State was the second Nigerian, while Janet Dung, also from Plateau, was the first Nigerian woman to cross the line. Dung also won $2,000, leaving Ladi Jach of Plateau as the second Nigerian woman as Genevieve Njoku of Imo came third.

An excited Dinkasa said he was very happy to win the race, especially with so many top athletes in attendance. “It wasn’t easy but it winning makes it worth all the effort. It was a very tough race and I’m proud that an African won. I’ll use the money to take care of my family and enhance my training,” he said.

Mayer said second-placed Mutuku pushed her very hard and she was relieved to win the race and the appreciable prize money. The Nigerians promised to work harder so that they would beat the rest of the world next year.

“The prize money structure for this 4th edition have been extend to the ninth and the 10th placed finishers in both categories (Men and weoman).In the past three editions only the best eight finishers were entitled to a share in the prize money but beginning from this year, His Excellency,Senator Liyel Imoke, the executive governor of Cross River state has graciuosly approved the extension of the prize money to the ninth and 10th placed finishers in line with his charge that we should make this year’s race the best ever in the history of the race”, reveals bt the William Archi-bong, chairman of the Local Organising Committee. There are also prizes for the top three Nigerian finishers and the top three finishers in the media race.

“We have set aside a total of $18,000 for the top three Nigerian finishers and the top three journalists in the media race.The winners in both categories will win $2,000 while the second and the third will go home with $1,500 and $1,000 respectively”.

The Obudu International Mountain race is a mountain race of 11.25km with a 810m of ascent, up to a height of 1600m above sea level.

Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort is one of the finest tourist destinations in the world. Situated deep in the tropical and mountainous rainforest of Northern Cross River State; Obudu Cattle Ranch is noted for its beautiful and enchanting landscape that evokes pleasure and vista.

Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort is equipped with modern facilities such as an airstrip, international hotels, a golf course, wildlife and a water park. It is also equipped with a Cable Car as well as Canopy Walkway. The Cable Car ride presents a more picturesque view of the Ranch. It is a lasting experience in every visitor’s mind.

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